No disturbance, however, was reported from either of the localities on Thursday.

Meanwhile, union leaders Urmila Rana, Purshottam Tripathi and 27 others were released on bail on Wednesday evening. Tripathi has since been arrested under the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act, which has no bail provisions.

Rana said on Thursday that the courts had said the 270 detained Udiyamalis could be released on surety bonds of Rs 10,000 each, a figure which was impossible for them to raise. Both Rana and Tripathi have maintained that they had nothing to do with the labour unrest that erupted on September 3 and claimed that they were being victimised. ``I will approach the court for justice'', Rana said.

The powerloom owners, meanwhile, have been growing increasingly impatient. Office-bearers of the Varachha Weavers' Association said on Thursday that though they wanted to open their units today, workers' absence prevented them from doing so for the second day in succession.