Strike evokes mixed response in Chhattisgarh

The two-day strike against the Central government's alleged anti-worker policies on January 8 and 9 evoked a mixed response in Chhattisgarh which remained peaceful during the stir.

Services in key sectors like banking and insurance, however, were affected.

The strike was called by Central trade unions.

On Wednesday, most of the nationalised and private sector banks remained closed and ATMs ran out of cash, as their employees joined the strike.

Employees of insurance companies, post offices, Anganwadi workers, medical representatives also joined the stir, which affected services.

Transport services remained normal. Shops, markets and business establishments remained opened across the state and normal life was unaffected.

Mining activities were partially affected.

A trade union leader, however, claimed the strike was a huge success in Chhattisgarh.

"Thousands of employees and workers of trade unions, independent federations and state government departments took part in the strike to protest against the anti-labourer, anti-farmer and anti-people policies of the government," Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) state secretary Dharmraj Mahapatra told PTI.

Working of banks, insurance firms, coal units, income tax offices, post office, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was mainly affected due to the strike, he claimed.

The shutdown was observed in support of 12-point demands that included minimum wage of Rs 18,000 per month, reintroduction of the old pension scheme, suspension of unilateral amendments to labour laws. The demands also included halting disinvestment of PSUs and improving employment opportunities, he said.

Production was completely stalled in the Manikpur coal mine of state-owned South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) in Korba district while it was partially affected in Kusmunda, Gevra and Dipka coal mines of the district.

Agitators held protests at several place in state capital Raipur.

No untoward incident has been reported so far in any part of the state.