Union leaders claim day-long strike successful

Claiming that the day-long strike received huge response, union leaders said that a large number of protestors were arrested today while road, rail and air transport services took a hit.

Claiming that the day-long strike called by eight Left unions and 40 federations received huge response, union leaders said that a large number of protestors were arrested on Wednesday while road, rail and air transport services took a hit.

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AITUC president Gurudas Dasgupta said there were reports of a large number of arrests in Assam and Orissa where police resorted to lathi-charging to remove protestors blocking railway tracks and highways.

"Over 300 protestors were arrested in Assam while in Orissa, around 100 trade unionists and farmers were arrested," Dasgupta told PTI.

"Complete bandh is being observed in Goa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Assam, Bengal, Tripura and Kerala. Police is lathi-charging our protestors in Haryana and Orissa. Several of them have been injured," he added.

Various government services like post and telegraph, defence production and ports were affected as unions claimed more than 10,000 workers from these sectors joined the strike protesting over "unfair treatment" meted out to them in the Sixth Pay Commission report by allowing officers more hike in pay over lower-grade employees.

Ports in Vizag, Kolkata and Haldia remained shut as workers joined the strike. Vizag Steel Plant was also reported to be closed.

"We will prolong our agitation if the Congress-led UPA government does not roll back its anti-people policies after Wednesday's strike," said CITU President MK Pandhe.