The five-day nationwide strike called by the major trade unions against the Central government's reported move to privatise the coal sector began on a tense note in Yellendu area of the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) on Tuesday.
Coal workers owing allegiance to the major trade unions including the AITUC, INTUC and CITU took part in the strike in Kothagudem region. However, the SCCL's recognised trade union – The Telangana Boggu Gani Karmika Sangham (TBGKS) has disassociated itself from the strike.
Tension prevailed at the 21 incline (underground mine) premises in Yellendu in the morning when a minor scuffle broke out between the local leaders of two different trade unions over participation in the strike. Police intervened and dispersed them from the entrance of the underground mine.
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The police took several AITUC cadres into preventive custody in Yellendu and Kothagudem on the eve of the strike, source added.
According to sources, the impact of the strike was felt in the underground mines in the Kothagudem region. However, the opencast projects functioned with near normal attendance.
Reports from Adilabad, Karimnagar and Warangal indicate that the strike evokes partial response in the SCCL coal mines.
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