The general strike called by trade unions drew the active participation of employees from various sectors in the city on Monday. Functioning of government offices and private establishments was hit as the turnout of employees was minimal.
Though private and State-owned bus services were disrupted, a large number of private vehicles were out on the road as there were no major road blockades or attacks on vehicle users. The police operated special services, catering to those stranded at the Kozhikode railway station. Some youth organisations too stepped in with free food for the stranded passengers as restaurants remained closed.
‘A success’
Trade union leaders claimed that the strike was a success as people from all walks of life voluntarily cooperated with it. They also claimed that people, irrespective of their political loyalty, stood by the cause and protested against anti-employee policies.
K.K. Mammu, district leader of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), said the strike even drew the participation of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), the labour wing of the ruling party at the Centre that came out with the fixed term employment rule. “It was actually the fight by people to protect their livelihood,” he said.
Passengers wait at the KSRTC bus station in Kozhikode.
Meanwhile, the BMS leadership denied the claims by the CITU that they had participated in the general strike. BMS district joint secretary K.K. Preman said it was a “politically motivated protest” without any joint discussions and that the contract system of employment was active even during the term of the previous Congress-led government at the Centre.
Traders’ cooperation
M. Rajan, district leader of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), said the cooperation extended by traders to the strike was noteworthy though the policy actually favoured them. Unlike the usual strikes, it was a peaceful protest with the support of all segments in the district, he said.
