The nation-wide general strike called by major central trade unions condemning the Central government for its “anti-people” and “anti-labour” policies did not affect normal life in Tiruchi on Friday even as the day was marked by a rash of protests and picketing agitations across the central region of the State.
Banking operations were affected as employees of various public sector banks, barring the State Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank and new generation banks, struck work in the daylong strike that was called by the unions urging the implementation of their 12-point charter of demands.
Trade union members resorted to rail roko, road roko and picketing agitations in about 40 places across the eight districts in the central region leading to their arrest. Over 4,000 persons were arrested across the central region, including a little over 800 in Tiruchi, after they staged different forms of agitations. A large number of members from various trade unions assembled at Vestry school roundabout on Friday morning.
Holding their respective trade union flags, the members raised slogans demanding the Central government to withdraw the disinvestment in public sector undertakings, check price rise and sanction Rs. 18,000 as minimum wages, among others, besides condemning the Central government for its “anti-labour policies.”
The union members also condemned the move to privatise the banking sector and demanded the government not to allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment in defence sector. They took out a procession from St. John’s Vestry Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School roundabout up to the Collectorate and staged an agitation when they were all arrested. Members of the CITU, AITUC, LPF and other unions participated in the agitation in the city. The striking bank employees separately staged a demonstration. Police sources said State Transport Corporation and private buses operated as usual in the city and elsewhere in the district with shops and commercial establishments remaining open.
The sources said picketing agitations were held at Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts, while road rokos were staged in Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Karur, Perambalur, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur. Rail rokos were staged at two places in Tiruchi and Pudukottai districts.
