INDIA: Millions of workers are on 24-hour strike across India, crippling normal life, halting transport and banking operations as sporadic violence erupts in eastern state
Record ID:
1377451
INDIA: Millions of workers are on 24-hour strike across India, crippling normal life, halting transport and banking operations as sporadic violence erupts in eastern state
- Title: INDIA: Millions of workers are on 24-hour strike across India, crippling normal life, halting transport and banking operations as sporadic violence erupts in eastern state
- Date: 29th February 2012
- Summary: JADAVPUR, WEST BENGAL, INDIA (FEBRUARY 28, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) A SIGNBOARD OUTSIDE THE OFFICE OF COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (MARXIST) (CPM) VANDALISED OFFICE CPM WORKERS STANDING INSIDE THE OFFICE VANDALISED OFFICE SCUFFLE OUTSIDE THE CPM OFFICE SECURITY PERSONNEL STANDING AROUND THE CROWD SECURITY PERSONNEL TRYING TO DISPERSE THE CROWD CROWD OF PEOPLE ON THE ROAD PEOPLE BEATING A CAMERAPERSON (SOUNDBITE) (English) CPM LEADER, SUJAN CHAKROBORTY, SAYING: "Suddenly miscreants, gangsters, they came attacked the party office, attacked the women cadres even, got inside the party office, ransacked the office. You are seeing the whole thing and hwy this is happening; this is all India strike, not the strike for West Bengal alone. This is not called by CPI (M) or the left, this is an all trade union strike, all over the country. The situation in Bengal is totally different one, while the chief minister herself is almost declaring war." VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA (FEBRUARY 28, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) CPI WORKERS SITTING ON ROADS, HOLDING PARTY FLAGS TRUCKS PARKED ON ROADSIDE TRUCKS PARKED POLICEMEN TALKING TO CPI WORKERS CPI WORKERS TALKING TO A TRUCK DRIVER POLICEMEN TRYING TO DISPERSE THE CPM WORKERS TRUCK DRIVER SITTING IN HIS TRUCK (SOUNDBITE) (English) VISAKHAPATNAM COUNCIL SECRETARY OF CPI, J.V. SATYANARAYANA MURTHY, SAYING: "We are demanding the government to implement the all trade union acts properly, even the SEZ's (special economic zones) should also be covered under the trade union acts and the government should take necessary steps to bring down the rising prices, the essential commodity prices." THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA, INDIA (FEBRUARY 28, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) DESERTED CITY STREET SIGNBOARD READING 'THIRUVANANTHAPURAM CENTRAL'
- Embargoed: 14th March 2012 19:39
- Keywords:
- Location: India, India
- Country: India
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVABZTGD7X61Y4CZAZSTB3HG22L5
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Millions of workers of all political allegiances began a 24-hour strike across India on Tuesday (February 28), crippling normal life, halting transport and banking operations as sporadic violence was reported in eastern West Bengal state.
Trade unions and political activists said that the workers expressed their anger at soaring prices and backed demands for improved rights for employees.
The strike, including workers from state-run phone companies, bus drivers and postal workers, is a new headache for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government as it grapples with weakening economic growth and faces elections in several states.
Workers linked to the ruling Congress party also joined the protest and have promised further action if their demands are not met.
Violence was reported from Jadavpur region, where activists of provincial ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party allegedly attacked the party office of provincial opposition Communist Party of India (Marxist).
According to media reports, the TMC activists assaulted a television crew when it went to cover the incident and also forced some auto drivers to ply their vehicles.
Hitting hard at the provincial Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, CPM leader, Sujan Chakroborty, said she has openly declared war.
"Suddenly miscreants, gangsters, they came attacked the party office, attacked the women cadres even, got inside the party office, ransacked the office. You are seeing the whole thing and hwy this is happening; this is all India strike, not the strike for West Bengal alone. This is not called by CPI (M) or the left, this is an all trade union strike, all over the country. The situation in Bengal is totally different one, while the chief minister herself is almost declaring war," said Chakroborty.
Simultaneously, CPI workers took to streets in Visakhapatnam city of southern Andhra Pradesh state, blocking roads and stopping the vehicular movement, as the police tried to disperse the party workers.
District Council Secretary of CPI, J.V. Satyanarayana Murthy, said the government should take necessary steps to control soaring inflation.
"We are demanding the government to implement the all trade union acts properly, even the SEZ's (special economic zones) should also be covered under the trade union acts and the government should take necessary steps to bring down the rising prices, the essential commodity prices," said Murthy.
The protests are not expected to significantly affect banks and financial markets in Asia's third-largest economy, but traders said there could be some volatility in the bond market if volumes are lower than normal.
Main markets and streets in Thiruvananthapuram city of southern Kerala state were largely deserted as taxis and state transport buses remained off roads, leaving tourists stranded.
"Tourists are facing problems, as eating-places are all shut. We are unable to shop or visit places, as no vehicle is available. We have to stay in our hotels. It is a total wastage of time," said Sunita Verma, a tourist from Delhi.
The strikers have a long list of demands. Among them, they want the government to take measures to contain inflation, provide universal social security cover for workers in the vast unorganised labour sector, and to stop selling stakes in state-run companies.
A group of trade union workers gathered in front of the locked gates of state-run banks in the national capital to protest the federal government's anti-trade union and anti-labour policies.
"Our demands are major, the anti-trade union labour activities implemented by the government should be withdrawn. The labourers should be given proper wages. If all the central trade unions are on strike, then definitely the labourers are suffering. The government is implementing pro-capitalist policies, which has led to the breakdown of the country's administration. Farmers are committing suicide, labourers are suffering because of hunger and the capitalist are going on increasing their capital," said Ramesh Singh, a bank employee.
Hit by high interest rates, stubborn inflation and a stuttering reform agenda, the economy is expected to grow by about 7 percent in the fiscal year ending March, compared with earlier expectations of about 9 percent growth.
Singh's government, which is also beset by multi-billion dollar corruption scandals, has faced a slew of protests since winning a second term in 2009, denting the Congress party's image as a defender of the poor.
The party is currently fighting five state elections, including one in Uttar Pradesh, the country's most populous state.
Tuesday's strike is the 14th general strike since India opened up its economy with major reforms in 1991. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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