CITU strike puts Left bastions on hold

Left-dominated areas woke up to a shutdown but the rest of India was unmoved by a day-long nationwide strike against the "anti-people" economic and labour policies of the United Progressive Alliance government, called by the trade unions affiliated to the Left parties and the Hind Mazdoor Sabha.

Normal life was paralysed today in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura. The strike was effective in pockets in Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai where Left-affiliated trade unions have a strong presence. However, it found no resonance in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, belying its claim of being "nationwide".

In Kerala and West Bengal, the infotech industry continued to function though attendance was low. In most of north India, work continued uninterrupted barring Bihar, where operations in the banking and insurance sectors as well as treasuries were hit. The Reserve Bank of India, Dena Bank, Allahabad Bank, Central Bank of India, Bank of India and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development did not function though branches of State Bank of India were open, sources in the banking sector said.

In Delhi, Left members of parliament held a demonstration in front of Parliament in support of the strike call given by the sponsoring committee of Left unions, including the CPI(M)-affiliated Centre of Indian Trade Unions, the CPI-backed All-India Trade Union Congress and the Hind Mazdoor Sabha. They later marched from Parliament to Jantar Mantar, where they addressed a workers' gathering. The Congress-affiliated Indian National Trade Union Congress and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh stayed away from the "politically motivated" strike.

In Kolkata, roads wore a deserted look, with no public transport plying while Indian Airlines and Jet Airways cancelled their flights. Shops and establishments were closed in the metropolis.

State-run and private bus services, trucks and taxis were off the roads in Tripura and Kerala since the strike began at midnight. CITU President MK Pandhe claimed that all ports, coal mines and post offices in the country were closed. However, official reports said operations in Paradip port were not affected.

According to reports from Mumbai, rail traffic in the city was disrupted for some time after agitators blocked trains at the Andheri and Goregaon stations during rush hour. The police later removed the agitators and services were resumed, railway officials said.

In Delhi, CPI senior leader Gurudas Dasgupta said: "Although we support the government we are protesting against their economic and labour policies. If the government fails to learn lessons, then we will call further strikes."