The State-wide dawn-to-dusk motor vehicles strike, called by the Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions of Motor Transport Workers on Wednesday, was total and peaceful in Kozhikode district.
Buses, autorickshaws, taxis, and other public transport vehicles kept off the roads. KSRTC did not cancel services considering the Onam rush. There were no restrictions on taking out private vehicles.
No violent incidents were reported from any parts of the district. Public meetings and programmes scheduled for the day went unhindered though the participants had a hard time reaching the venues due to lack of transport facilities.
Most of shops and offices functioned but schools remained closed.
The usually busy S.M. Street and Palayam Market wore a deserted look in the forenoon.
The strike, which began at 6 a.m., was in response to an appeal by the All India Road Transport Workers Federation to organise nation-wide protests against the increase in prices of fuel.
Motor workers affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), the Indian National Trade Union Congress, the All Indian Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, the Hind Mazdoor Sangh, the United Trade Union Congress, the All India United Trade Union Congress, and the Swatantra Thozhilali Union took part in the strike. Milk vans, ambulance services, and newspaper vans were exempted from the strike.
