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Bharat Bandh: Violence in West Bengal, Strike Near Total in Kerala

The unions said nearly 25 crore people will take part in the nationwide strike.

Updated
India
6 min read
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Protesters torched vehicles and ransacked government buses, including a police van in West Bengal as they tried to enforce the day-long bandh called by central trade unions on Wednesday, 8 January.

Meanwhile, the strike was near total in Left-ruled Kerala, with vehicles, including state-owned KSRTC and private buses keeping off the roads.

The Chennai Police, meanwhile, detained protesters who were a part of the Bharat Bandh on Mount Road.

Snapshot
  • The unions have said nearly 25 crore people have taken part in the strike to protest against labour reforms, FDI, disinvestment and privatisation policies
  • The government has asked PSUs to dissuade their employees from participating in the ‘Bharat Bandh’ and advised them to prepare a contingency plan
  • Several farmers and agricultural workers’ unions are also expected to extend support to the strike and observe Gramin Bharat Bandh
  • About 60 organisations of students and elected office bearers of some universities have also decided to join the strike

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7:36 PM , 08 Jan

Nationwide Strike Call Evokes Partial Response in Punjab, Haryana

A day-long nationwide strike call by the central trade unions against the government's anti-people policies, on Wednesday evoked partial response in Punjab and Haryana, PTI reported.

With the state roadways employees joining the nationwide strike, buses remained off road at several places including Amritsar, Nawanshahr, Ludhiana, Roopnagar and Kapurthala in Punjab, causing inconvenience to passengers.

Though a faction of Haryana Roadways had announced to join the strike, public transport services were not affected much, barring a few places including Sirsa and Hisar.

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6:05 PM , 08 Jan

Houseboat of Nobel Laureate Blocked by Protesters in Kerala

A houseboat carrying Nobel laureate Michael Levitt in the backwaters of Alappuzha in Kerala was blocked for some time by trade union activists who are on a nationwide strike on Wednesday, PTI reported.

Police said Levitt, who received the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was in Alappuzha with his wife and was stopped by the protesters near Kainakary.

Reacting to the incident, State Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said, "We will take strong action against those anti-social elements who blocked the boat.

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5:28 PM , 08 Jan

Over 800 Workers, Including 2 MPs Arrested in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore

Two MPs of Left parties were among 800 workers of eight trade unions who were arrested on Wednesday while attempting to stage a demonstration as part of the nationwide strike in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore, PTI reported.

The demonstration was led by CPI Lok Sabha MP K Subbaryan, who is also Tamil Nadu AITUC president and CPI(M) MP PR Natarajan.

As the workers attempted to stage demonstration near the district collectorate, police arrested them, PTI reported.

Similar protests were held at Valparai, Pollachi and Mettupalayam in the district and Tirupur, police said.

5:16 PM , 08 Jan

'Mamata Instigated Violence During Trade Unions' Strike': CPI(M)

CPI(M) politburo member Mohammed Salim on Wednesday alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee instigated TMC cadres and police personnel to indulge in violence in the state during the one-day strike, according to PTI.

Salim also denied claims that Left cadres and Congress workers were involved in arson in Malda district.

"None of the protesters or strike supporters were involved in violence. It is Mamata Banerjee who instigated violence. The TMC cadres and police personnel in order to please the chief minister, indulged in arson. Despite threats, the strike has been successful in Bengal," Salim said.

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Published: 08 Jan 2020, 6:56 AM IST
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