Kolkata, 26th November: Public services were partially affected in West Bengal, Kerala, Tripura, Odisha as central trade unions observed nationwide strike against the new farm and labour laws.
Members of Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, CPI (M) and Congress blocked railway track in Jadavpur as trade unions observe nationwide strike against new labour policies introduced by the Centre.
Protestors marched on the streets in Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas and Howrah and raised slogans against the farm laws.
Despite the bandh call, some factory workers in Howrah continued their work as usual, while protestors near Domjur stopped the movement of vehicles. Security has been tightened in several areas to ensure law and order.
Meanwhile, police personnel have also been heavily deployed at the Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) in anticipation of protests from Punjab farmers.
Meanwhile, security deployment has been increased near Karna Lake in Haryana’s Karnal, in view of farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest march from November 26 to November 28.
A traffic jam was witnessed on the Delhi-Jammu highway due to a strike called by farmers. Heavy deployment of police personnel has been on the Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) in the anticipation of farmer’s protests. Police are using drones to monitor the situation.
The Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 were passed by the Upper House in September through voice vote despite objection from opposition parties.
Ten central trade unions, which have called the bandh are:
- 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)
- Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA)
- All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU)
- Labour Progressive Federation (LPF)
- United Trade Union Congress (UTUC)
