A flash strike, observed by houseboat workers here on Tuesday, affected tourists who arrived at the Punnamada Finishing Point.
The strike was declared by the workers at 9 a.m., demanding action against an agent who allegedly manhandled a worker on Monday night. The delay on the part of the police in arresting the agent led to the workers threatening to hold an indefinite agitation. With several tourists arriving for houseboat trips, the strike would have proven costly for the tourism sector.
However, the issue was solved after the Alappuzha North police arrested the accused, Soman, 61, on the basis of a complaint submitted by the victim, Vaishakh. The strike was called off by around 1 p.m.
According to officials, the flash strike did not affect the industry with houseboats from other jetties in the district operating as per schedule. A large number of tourists, who had booked for houseboat cruises, could be seen waiting at the Punnamada Finishing Point until the strike was withdrawn.
