Trade union strike partially affects normal life in Bengal
Normal life was partially affected in parts of West Bengal on Thursday due to the nationwide strike called by several trade unions in protest against the Centre's economic policies.
The 24-hour bandh called by a joint committee of the central trade unions began at 6 am.
Bandh supporters, mostly activists of CPI(M) - affiliated outfits like CITU and DYFI, brought out rallies in Jadavpur, Garia, Kamalgazi, Lake Town and Dumdum areas in and around Kolkata, disrupting vehicular movement and asking shopkeepers to pull down the shutters of their establishments, an official said.
They picketed outside Howrah railway station, asking vehicle operators to stop services but a large police contingent was deployed to ensure normal plying of vehicles, he said.
Bandh enforcers also blocked roads in Coochbehar and Jhargram districts, burning tyres and breaking the windscreen of buses, the official said.
Train services were affected in Sealdah South and Main sections as agitators put logs on railway tracks, he said.
Flight services at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here, however, have remained unaffected so far, the official said.
"People are supporting our peaceful protests as it is in their interests," a Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activist in Howrah said.
The ruling Trinamool Congress in the state did not support the strike but said it backed the Left and Congress' flagging of the economic issues.
The agitating central trade unions, along with independent federations and associations, expect the participation of 25 crore workers in the strike.
Trade unions like Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Co-ordination Centre (TUCC) and Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) are part of the strike.
BJP-aligned Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), however, is not participating in the strike.
The strike has been called to protest the new farm and labour laws and also to raise various demands, a statement issued by the trade unions said.
Workers in the unorganised sector have also decided to hit the streets to enforce 'chakka jam', it said.
Trade unions affiliated to the Left parties and the Congress had taken out several rallies in Kolkata in the last few days in support of the strike.
