In pictures: Nationwide strike affects normal life in several states

The strike has been called for by a joint platform of ten central trade unions, including 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) and Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA).

The day-long countrywide strike has been called to protest against the central government's new farm and labour laws, among other workers-related issues, as well as to raise certain demands. Various independent federations and associations are also part of the joint platform.

"The states of Kerala, Puducherry, Odisha, Assam and Telangana have reported complete shutdown. Tamil Nadu reported complete shutdown in 13 districts, while the industrial strike continues in the rest of the districts. Punjab and Haryana have reported that the state road transport buses have not left their depots in the morning," a joint statement issued by the trade unions said.

Railway and defence employees have held demonstrations in support of the strike at their respective places of work.

Scheme workers, electricity employees, domestic workers, construction workers, beedi workers, hawkers, vendors, agricultural workers, self employed in rural and urban India are holding demonstrations at various places, even defying police restrictions, the statement said.

Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh reported 100 per cent strike, including at BALCO, the statement said.Normal life was affected in West Bengal and Tripura, and sporadic incidents of clashes were reported in West Bengal, according to reports.

Members of Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, CPI(M) and Congress blocked railway track in Jadavpur. Protestors marched on the streets in Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas and Howrah and raised slogans against the Centre's labour policies and farm laws.

As per the statement, operations of financial institutions such as banks and insurance companies have also been affected. Besides state government and central government employees, those from the Income Tax Department and other PSU workers are participating in the strike in a big way, the unions claimed. In several places, oil sector unions also observed strike. Workers also resorted to picketing in some parts of the country.