New Delhi: A nationwide dawn-to-dusk ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by 10 central trade unions and farmers’ groups on Thursday affected public transport and markets in Odisha, Assam, Kerala and many areas in Punjab.
A joint forum of central trade unions — INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC — has called the strike to protest the recently announced India–US trade agreement. The unions have accused the BJP-led Centre of “surrendering before the shrewdness of the US” and said the shutdown will disrupt work and services in over 600 districts across the country.
The 12-hour strike which began at 6 am features road blockades and highway picketing, ‘rail roko’ protests in select states besides closure of markets and shops have been reported from many areas.
Odisha: Reports said protesters took to streets and roads in different parts of Odisha carrying banners and raising slogans like “Inquilab Zindabad!” (Long live the revolution), “Shramika Ekta Zindabad!” (Long live workers’ unity), “Kendra Sarkar Hosh Mein Aao!” (Central Government, come to your senses), and “Amara Dabi, Purana Hou!” (Fulfill our demands), ANI reported.
Tension flared up in Balasore after a shopping mall remained open during the bandh, triggering unrest in the area. Protesters allegedly entered the mall premises, resulting in chaotic scenes and a scuffle between the two sides, OTV reported.
Karnataka: Workers’ unions of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and associations representing private bus operators have extended their support to the nationwide strike called by central trade unions. State-run KSRTC buses and many private transport operators are participating. Shops and several private establishments are shut in solidarity. Some colleges have suspended classes.
Assam: Parts of Assam felt the force of the nationwide strike on Thursday, with refineries, transport hubs and streets bearing the brunt. The strike disrupted services across parts of Assam from early morning. In Guwahati, the entrance to the Guwahati Refinery at Noonmati turned into a protest site as members of the United Workmen Union and the Thikadari Shramik Union assembled, demanding a rollback of the labour codes. Commercial vehicles were stopped at Khanapara in Guwahati as the Bharat Bandh disrupted transport services in the area. Public transport services were disrupted, with only a handful of electric buses plying on the roads. Commuters were left stranded at several bus stops, reports said.
Kerala: Reports from Kerala said the state is witnessing one of the strongest responses to the bandh-call. State-run KSRTC buses and many private transport operators are participating. Shops and several private establishments are shut in solidarity. Some colleges have suspended classes. The state has invoked a “no work, no pay” policy for absentee government employees. Hospitals and essential services continue to function normally.
Tamil Nadu: In Tamil Nadu the state government has instructed employees to report to work under a “no work, no pay” directive. As a result, disruption is expected to be minimal. Schools, colleges and public offices are functioning normally. Public transport services are largely operational, though local protests may cause minor delays.
West Bengal: The nationwide strike evoked lukewarm response in West Bengal. Vehicles plied normally and state government and private offices recorded usual turnout amid heavy deployment of police forces. Meanwhile, private and state-run vehicles plied normally in Kolkata and other districts, while schools remained open, PTI reported.
CPI(M)’s student wing SFI staged protests in front of the gates of Jadavpur and Presidency universities. Schools are open unless locally directed otherwise.
Punjab: Farmers blocked national highways and other key roads at many places in Punjab and Haryana, and squatted on railway tracks at several locations disrupting road and rail traffic as part of their nationwide protest against the Centre’s new agri laws.
According to the Samkyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which is spearheading the farmers’ stir, said Bharat Bandh is being observed from 6 am to 6 pm to mark four months of the farmers’ agitation at Delhi’s three borders — Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri.
Shops remained closed at several places in Punjab. At a few places in Haryana too shops were shuttered in support of the Bharat Bandh. Public and private transport remained off the roads in Punjab.
In neighbouring Haryana, state transport minister Moolchand Sharma told PTI that Haryana Roadways bus services will be suspended in those districts where it is felt that it is not conducive to operate them in view of the farmers’ protest. “Bus services are otherwise functional in Haryana,” he said.
Since morning, farmers in the two states gathered at several highways and roads, including in Bathinda, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala, Mohali, Rohtak, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Jhajjar, Jind, Panchkula, Kaithal, Yamunanagar and Bhiwani districts.
Farmer union leaders said they were allowing ambulances and other emergency vehicles as well as marriage processions to pass.
