Muthoot Finance managing director George Alexander suffered minor injuries after his car was stoned allegedly by protesters outside the head office in Kochi. George, who was hurt after the car window shattered, is being treated for injuries.
According to media reports, several employees of the company, under the aegis of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), have been staging an agitation against the company, protesting shut down of branches and dismissal of employees. The Muthoot management alleged that "CITU goons" were behind the attack that occurred at around 9 am. However, the CITU rejected the allegations, saying the trade Union outfit has no role in the incident.
"We don't believe in such type of violent mode of agitation", CITU leader Ananthalavattom Anandan told media.
An official of the Confederation of Indian Industries Kerala chapter condemned the incident, saying "it is a matter of great concern".
In September last year, dramatic scenes unfolded in front of the head office as George Alexander sat down in protest against the ongoing agitation and demanded that the CITU allow employees who are willing to go against the strike call and work. In 2016 too, there was an indefinite strike against Muthoot Finance Ltd, which is one of the largest gold financing companies in the country. The strike, which lasted for 17 days, was called in protest against the move to transfer and suspend many employees following unionisation of Muthoot employees.
-with inputs from PTI
