Bengal, Kerala hit by trade union strike

Normal life was disrupted in West Bengal and Kerala, both Left-ruled states, in the countrywide general strike on Tuesday called by eight central trade unions, including the Congress-affiliated INTUC, against price rise in essential commodities, alleged violation of labour laws and disinvestment in PSUs. HT reports.

Normal life was disrupted in West Bengal and Kerala, both Left-ruled states, in the countrywide general strike on Tuesday called by eight central trade unions, including the Congress-affiliated INTUC, against price rise in essential commodities, alleged violation of labour laws and disinvestment in PSUs.

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In Kolkata, roads were deserted and transport services kept off the road throughout the day. Shops, schools, markets and business establishments remained closed since early morning.

"No untoward incident was reported across West Bengal," Inspector General of Police (law and Order) Surajit Purakayastha said.

Streets, even in Trinamool Congress-dominated areas of south Kolkata, wore a deserted look.

Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee on Sunday had said her party would oppose the shutdown.

An official of state health department said that most of the outdoor patients' departments in medical colleges in the city remained open as usual.

In Kerala, markets, educational institutions and government offices remained closed throughout the state.

Except stray incidents of stone-throwing, no major untoward incident was reported from the state.