Pics: Justin D'Silva/Stephan Kayyar/Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (AM)

Mangaluru, Jan 8: Normal life in Mangaluru and Udupi remained largely unaffected by the Bharath bandh called by ten trade central unions on Wednesday, January 8.

Both the districts were largely unaffected and life went on as usual with educational institutions and businesses remaining open. Public transport including buses too remained normal.

A few members of trade unions held a protest in front of town hall in the city. Some of the shops in Bunder area also remained shut down supporting the bandh. 

Mangaluru

Udupi

Kasargod

However, the bandh call given by trade unions was observed totally in Kasargod. 

Buses, both KSRTC and private are not operating. Auto rickshaws and taxis have also supported the bandh. Excepting very few personal vehicles, rest all public vehicles have stalled their operations.

Good response for the bandh is observed in rural areas of the district also. Only few shops are open. Very few people are moving around. Huge absence is noticed in schools and colleges. In an incident vehicles which were plying on the road after 10 am were stopped forcefully by protesters of trade unions.

Excepting Bharatiya Majdoor Sabha (BMS), which is affiliated to BJP, all other trade unions have supported the bandh. Banks, Insurance companies and public sector companies have also expressed their support to the bandh by not functioning.

Protest marches were held in some parts of the district also in this connection.

A nationwide strike has been called by trade unions today against anti-labour policies of the government, along with other issues. The CITU is among 10 trade unions that have called a day's strike. Nine other trade unions, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC, are also part of the strike.