Bharat Bandh: Countrywide strike witnesses violence

India witness a violence-clad day on Wednesday as the labour unions have began their two-day strike. A mixed responses were received on the first day as millions of workers were stayed away from work across India and the strike hits transport system and banking system in several states.

11 central trade unions have called 2-days strike against fuel price hike and violation of labour laws. Trade unions are opposing Central government’s decision of opening the retail, banking and aviation sectors to foreign investors. Unions have issued 10 demands to the government.

The day begins with the news of a labour leader death in Ambala during an early morning clash. The day ends with violence in Noida where 14 were held for damaging factories and cars. Several factories were attacked and cars were set on fire by workers in Noida.

Kerala saw the maximum impact of the strike. Most banks, shops were completely closed. Vehicles were not seen much on the roads.

In New Delhi, however most shops were open.

Although the banks, insurance companies and commercial companies remain closed in Mumbai, but the trains, buses, taxis were running normally. Most educational institutions were open and Mumbai’s famous dabbawalas work usually.

In West Bengal most of the schools and colleges remained open. Shops and other establishments were partially affected. Transports were seen on the roads but in lesser numbers.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee congratulated people for rejecting the bandh, “Work culture has been restored in Bengal. There was 100 per cent attendance in state government offices. We withdrew our support from the Centre because of fuel price hike and FDI in retail…those who are sponsoring today’s bandh refused to support our no-confidence motion,” said Mamata.

The strike to continue on Thursday and Maruti Suzuki, Hero MotoCorp and Suzuki Motorcycle India workers will join the strike.

The bandh also affected life in Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Haryana as well. Assam was not affected, however, by this bandh.

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