Maruti-plant violence tragic; biz confidence firm: Sharma

Terming violence at the Maruti Suzuki plant as "tragic and unfortunate", commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma on Thursday said that such incidents would not shake the confidence of the industry.

"It is a tragic and unfortunate incident. It should have never happened. The state government acted promptly on Wednesday night," Sharma said. The company's Manesar plant was shut following large scale arson in which Awanish Kumar Dev, general manager of the human resources department, was burnt beyond recognition while 100 others were injured on Wednesday.

"I do not see how one incident could shake the industry's confidence," he said, adding the state government was capable of handling the situation and protecting the industry and investments.

The police on Thursday arrested 91 employees in connection with the violence. Labour unrest has been erupting in the area frequently.Maruti had witnessed troubles on three occasions in the last one year causing a total production loss of about Rs 2,300 crore.

With Maruti Suzuki India's share price tanking close to 9% today, its investor -wealth has been eroded by Rs 3,183 crore in the stock market.