Bharat Bandh Today, 8th January 2020 LIVE Updates: Protesters on Wednesday hit the road across the country as trade unions called for a day-long strike as part of a Bharat bandh call . In West Bengal, incidents of violence and arson were reported from various parts and PTI reported that around 55 people have been arrested from Kolkata as trade union activists along with Left and Congress supporters picketed in support of the 24-hour general strike against the ‘anti-people’ policies .

Ten Central Trade Unions (CTUs) — INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC — along with various sectoral independent federations and associations will protest against the ‘anti-people’ policies of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

Multiple banking activities such as cash withdrawal and deposits have been affected at branches of various PSU banks. Most public sector banks had earlier informed their customers about the call for strike given by All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA), BEFI, INBEF, INBOC and the Bank Karmachari Sena Mahasangh (BKSM).

Banking, transport services likely to be hit due to trade unions’ strike today. Follow for Bharat bandh LIVE updates in Malayalam

Highlights

Tripura: 125 detained by police at Kailashahar in Unakoti district

A total of 125 people have been detained by police at Kailashahar in Unakoti district of Tripura. The detainees, from both CPIM and BJP, clashed among each other.

Business as usual in Telangana, banking ops hit

Barring banking services being hit, it was business as usual in Telangana on Wednesday despite the nationwide strike called by various trade unions protesting the Centre’s ‘anti-people’ policies. Most of the shops and business establishments were open while transport services remained unaffected.

The strike by as many as three lakh employees and workers passed off peacefully with the participation of members of various trade unions in the state, senior leader of Telangana CPI, Sudhakar said. Representatives of various unions held dharna at Dharna Chowk near Indira Park.

Banking services partially hit in Gujarat

Banking services were partially hit in Gujarat on Wednesday due to the nationwide strike called by 10 central trade unions to protest against the Central government’s “anti-labour” policies. Transport services are absolutely normal across the state while offices of various business establishments also remained open. Although trade unions claimed that factory production was hit in many parts of Gujarat, industrialists said it was business as usual.

“Banking services in Gujarat were partially hit as employees associated with All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA) joined the strike,” said Dhiraj Desai, general secretary of Bank of Baroda Employees Union.

Haryana: Honda’s plant, units of component makers hit in Manesar-Bawal industrial belt

Production at Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India’s (HMSI) Manesar plant in Haryana and factories of various auto component manufacturers in Manesar-Bawal industrial belt was hit on Wednesday by the day-long strike called by 10 major trade unions against the Centre’s ‘anti-people’ policies.

The strike, however, had no impact on production of auto majors Maruti Suzuki India, Hero MotoCorp and Honda Cars India at their plants in various parts of the country.

No effect of strike in Mumbai, most of Maha; transport normal

No effect of strike in Mumbai, most of Maha; transport normalThe nationwide strike seems to have failed to evoke much response in Maharashtra till Wednesday afternoon with transport and banking services remaining largely unaffected in many districts as well as in the country’s financial capital.

No untoward incident was reported so far from any region of the state. Suburban trains, which are called as the “lifeline of Mumbai” with a ridership of more than 75 lakh commuters per day, public buses, taxis and autorickshaws are running normally in the island city and suburbs.

Similarly, Metro and Monorail services are running smoothly, officials said, adding that BEST-operated bus services are also running as per schedule. Private transport services like taxis and auto-rickshaws are also plying normally in Mumbai. Film and TV shoots also remained unaffected. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) said all its members were at work as usual and nothing was hampered because of the strike.

Violence, arson across Bengal, 55 arrested in Kolkata

Incidents of violence and arson were reported from various parts of West Bengal with buses, a police vehicle and government properties being vandalised by strikers who tried to enforce the 24-hour bandh on Wednesday. Protesters blocked a major road in Sujapur area of Malda district, set tyres on fire, ransacked government buses and torched several vehicles, including a police van. When police tried to control the situation, they hurled stones and crude bombs. The police then baton-charged the mob, lobbed teargas shells and fired rubber bullets, officials said.

Till noon, around 55 people were arrested from different parts of the city for allegedly trying to block vehicles, stall government buses or forcibly stop shopkeepers from opening their establishments, a senior officer of the Kolkata Police said. (PTI)

Bharat bandh by Left ‘cheap politics’: Mamata Banerjee

Lashing out at the Left parties for calling Bharat bandh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said they are doing it for ‘cheap publicity’. ‘Bandhs called by them (Left parties) earlier were rejected. They want to get cheap publicity by calling bandh and hurling bombs on buses. Instead of gaining this publicity, political death is better,’ she was quoted as saying by ANI. MORE

Sporadic incidents of violence across Bengal as strikers try to enforce bandh

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from various parts of West Bengal on Wednesday as trade union activists backed by Left and Congress members tried to enforce the 24-hour strike against the Centre’s “anti people” policies. The strikers blocked rail and roads in several parts of the state affecting normal life. They burnt tyres and blocked roads in various parts of the East Burdwan district, besides staging sit-in on railway tracks, affecting train services in the sector.

In East Midnapore district, stones were hurled at buses. When police tried to remove protesters, a scuffle ensued, following which several strikers were arrested, the police said. (PTI)

Asha workers take part in Bharat Bandh

ASHA workers during Nationwide Trade Union protest in Ludhiana. Express Photo Gurmeet Singh

Cong, left leaders taken into custody for participating in general strike in AP

Leaders of the Congress, CPI and CPM were taken into custody as they staged a sit-in protest on the highway outside the RTC bus station in Vijayawada on Wednesday as part of the nationwide general strike called by various organisations. Rallies were taken out by the Left parties and trade unions in major towns and cities of Andhra Pradesh, opposing the policies being adopted by the Central government.

15 lakh power sector employees, engineers on strike: AIPEF

About 15 lakh power sector employees and engineers across the country went on strike on Wednesday in support of ‘Bharat Bandh’ call given by 10 central trade unions. Power sector employees are protesting against the Centre’s proposed amendments to the Electricity Act as well as other privatisation policies of the government, which they say are against the interest of the consumers and employees.

Bharat Bandh: Banking services hit in Telangana

Banking services across Telangana were severely hit by the nationwide strike called by various trade unions protesting the central government’s ‘anti-people’ policies on Wednesday. However, most of the shops and business establishments were open while transport services remained unaffected. The strike by as many as three lakh employees and workers was underway with the participation of members of various trade unions in the state, senior leader of Telangana CPI, Sudhakar said.

BJP supporters in Agartala oppose strike

In Agartala, BJP supporters on motorcycles ply streets opposing the strike. They were seen encouraging shopkeepers to open shops in different parts of Agartala and other districts of Tripura since morning today.

Clashes erupt in Bengal between TMC and SFI

Protests have turned violent in parts of west Bengal over Bharat Bandh.

# West Bengal: A clash erupted allegedly between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Students’ Federation of India (SFI) workers in Burdwan during the Bharat Bandh called by ten trade Unions against ‘anti-worker policies of Central Government’

No impact of Bandh in Hyderabad

Meanwhile, in Hyderabad, Bandh has not had any impact.

Kochi metro stations deserted

Following the Bharat Bandh, metro stations in Kochi were seen largely empty on Wednesday.

Bharat Bandh: Shops and market in Kochi on shutdown mode

Empty streets, shops shut down is the scene at Kochi’s Jew Street areas.

Amid rain in Delhi, workers assemble at ITO to protest

In Delhi, AITUC General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur said rains could not impact on the movement as workers’ processions will be taken out in industrial areas of the state; and as planned, workers will assemble at the ITO and take out a procession.

“We are getting reports from all over India.? BHEL workers have gone on strike, ?oil unions are on strike. There is a situation of bandh in states of north-east, Odisha, Pondicherry, Kerala and Maharashtra. Roadways depots are closed in Haryana,” she said.

Bharat Bandh cripples normal life in Kerala

In Kerala, there is very little vehicular traffic and shops and business establishments are closed in many parts of Kerala.

Protest underway on Mount road in Chennai

With Central Trade Unions having called for a nation wide strike, government and private buses plying between Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry have suspended services today.

Bharat Bandh: Heavy police deployment seen in parts of Kolkata

In Kolkata, government buses were plying normally but the number of private buses was less in the early hours. Metro services were normal in the city and auto-rickshaws and taxis were also seen on the roads. Heavy police deployment was seen in several areas of the city, including in Tollygunge, Behala, Esplanade and Jadavpur. In some areas of north Bengal, the Trinamool Congress took out rallies opposing the strike and urged people to maintain normalcy.

Across Maharashtra, rasta roko will be held in Nashik, Kolhapur, Sangli, Pune and rural areas

In Maharashtra, Ashok Dhawale, president of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), said a large protest would be held at Azad Maidan to observe Bharat Bandh. ‘We are expecting a huge turnout… people are also angry over the JNU incident.’ Across Maharashtra, rasta roko will be held in Nashik, Kolhapur, Sangli, Pune and rural areas. ‘Farmers would gather to hold protest and block roads,’ Dhawale said.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited employees protest against govt’s decision of strategic disinvestment of Bharat Petroleum in Mumbai. (ANI)

Modi-Shah Govt’s anti people, anti labour policies have created catastrophic unemployment: Rahul Gandhi on Bharat Bandh

Issuing a statement in solidarity with the strike over unemployment today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday blamed the “anti-people, anti-labour policies of the Modi-Shah government.”

Bus driver wears helmet in wake of Bharat Bandh protests in Siliguri

In Siliguri, bus driver wore a helmet in wake of Bharat Bandh protests.

Bharat Bandh: KSRTC bus damaged in Karnataka

In Karnataka’s Madikeri, a KSRTC bus has been damaged due to stone-pelting. ‘However, bus operations are normal across the state with 899/1008 buses starting services on time,’ KSRTC PRO Latha T S said. Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao on Tuesday said no permission would be granted to any organisation to carry out rallies on Wednesday. ‘The protesters can protest at the Freedom Park but the permission for the procession is denied. We will take action against any organisation if they violate the rules,’ Rao said.

Will not support any bandh: TMC govt in West Bengal

In West Bengal, trade unions affiliated to the Left and other parties have supported the bandh against the economic policies of theBJP-led government at the Centre. However, the TMC-led state government said it will not support any bandh. Visuals from West Bengal this morning. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Bharat Bandh: Protesters in West Bengal block railway track in Howrah

Protesters in West Bengal block railway track in Howrah, Kanchrapara and North 24 Parganas. (Photo: ANI)

Congress silent on strike

As many as 10 central trade unions will on Wednesday observe a general strike, which may turn into a bandh in states like Kerala. This will be the biggest protest action by workers in a year, that too on issues like unemployment. And the Congress, the main Opposition party, has been silent on the strike. While Rahul Gandhi often talks about unemployment, the party has not issued any statement in solidarity with the strike or opposing the government. The party’s trade union wing INTUC, though, is taking part in the strike.

Haryana Roadways’ staffers to go on strike today, more than 12 lakh passengers to be affected

The staffers of Haryana Roadways will go on strike today which may affect public transport services in the state. More than 12 lakh passengers travel in state-run buses including few Volvo buses daily. Roadways employees unions are upset with the introduction of kilometre scheme meant to hire private buses as they see it a move aimed to privatise the roadways, an allegation the government has been terming baseless. Initially, the unions had given call for two days strike. They have decided to go on strike today to participate in the nationwide stir against privatisation, but the strike of January 7 was called exclusively to press for the demands of Haryana Roadways employees and to oppose the kilometre scheme. The state government, however, has succeeded in convincing the employees unions to withdraw the call of Tuesday’s strike.

Kerala state tourism sector exempted from Trade strike

In Kerala, the trade unions exempted the state’s tourism sector from Wednesday’s general strike. Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) Society hailed as “exemplary” the decision by political parties and trade unions to exempt the state’s tourism sector from Wednesday’s general strike.”Any employee going on strike in any form, including protest, would face the consequences which, besides deduction of wages, may also include appropriate disciplinary action,” said an office memorandum issued by the government. “Suitable contingency plan may also be worked out to carry out the various functions of the ministry/department,” it added.

Ensure smooth functioning of enterprises: Central govt to public sector undertakings

The central government has asked public sector undertakings to dissuade their employees from participating in the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called on Wednesday and advised them to prepare a contingency plan to ensure smooth functioning of the enterprises. “Any employee going on strike in any form, including protest, would face the consequences which, besides deduction of wages, may also include appropriate disciplinary action,” said an office memorandum issued by the government.

Impact of bank strike will be minimal: SBI

The bank unions have called the strike to protest against banking reforms and mega-merger of PSU banks initiated by theNarendra Modi government. The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA), Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), Indian National Bank Employees Federation (INBEF) and Indian National Bank Officers Congress (INBOC) had issued a circular last month on its decision to join the nationwide strike. In a stock exchange filing, State Bank of India (SBI), however, said the impact of the bank strike would be minimal on its operations.

West Bengal to run extra buses, give up to Rs 6L insurance for vehicles damaged in bandh

In West Bengal, trade unions affiliated to the Left and other parties have supported the bandh against the economic policies of theBJP-led government at the Centre. However, the TMC-led state government said it will not support any bandh. ‘The State Transport Undertakings will operate about 22 per cent additional buses tomorrow,’ a Transport Department official quoted minister Adhikari. The West Bengal Travel Corporation will operate 1,150 buses as compared to the usual 900 buses. South Bengal State Transport Corporation will run 826 buses as against the usual 692 buses. North Bengal State Transport Corporation will roll out 655 buses as compared to the normal 605 buses. Meanwhile, all the vehicles registered within the state of West Bengal have been insured by the Transport Department with an insurance coverage of up to Rs 6 lakh.

Maharashtra: Trade unions go on nationwide strike today, no major disruptions expected in transport or essential services

Across Maharashtra, rasta roko will be held in Nashik, Kolhapur, Sangli, Pune and rural areas. ‘Farmers would gather to hold protest and block roads,’ Dhawale said. Transport services are not likely to face massive disruptions either. While railway unions have called for a rally on Wednesday to show solidarity with the trade union strike, officials said that the workers would either take leave for join the protest after completing their duty. Venu Nair, general secretory of National Railway Mazdoor Sangh of Central Railway, said, ‘We support the nationwide strike, but no commuter will be inconvenienced.’

Bharat bandh unlikely to disrupt life in Karnataka

The Bharat Bandh called by the Central Trade Unions (CTUs) on Wednesday to protest against the ‘anti-people’ policies of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre may not affect normal life in Karnataka. Banking services, including ATMs, may be affected since employees of major banks are expected to participate in the strike. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) services are unlikely to be affected since the management of both corporations have warned their employees of disciplinary action if they participated in the nationwide strike.

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Other than banking, transport and other key services are also likely to be disrupted in many states due to this Bharat bandh call. (File photo)

Condemning the JNU violence and similar incidents in other universities, the trade unions expressed their solidarity with students and teachers all over India. The unions will also protest against privatisation in railways, corporatisation of 49 defence production units and forced merger of banks.

‘We expect participation of not less than 25 crores of working people. The Ministry of Labour has failed to assure any of the demands of workers which called a meeting on January 2, 2020. The attitude of the government is that of contempt towards labour as we construe from its policies and actions,’ the statement further said.

About 60 organisations of students and elected office-bearers of some universities have also decided to join the strike to protest against increased fee structure and commercialisation of education. Also, over 175 farmers and agricultural workers unions will extend its support to workers’ demands and observe January 8 as Gramin Bharat Bandh along with their charter of demands.

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