Strike: Public transport, banking services hit in Assam

Guwahati, Sep 2 (PTI) Services including banking andpublic transport were hit in Assam due to the nation-widestrike called by ten central trade unions to protest against"anti-labour" policies of the government. All nationalised banks, insurance companies and postoffices remained closed while buses remained off the road. Inthe wake of strike, schools and colleges also remained closed,officials said. Attendance in government offices and private companies wasthin though shops and business establishments remained open. Train services were affected in parts of the state withseveral trains remaining stranded or regulated at differentplaces, North East Frontier Railway spokesman said. Trains are running but behind schedule, the spokesmanadded. The impact of the bandh was total in Barak Valley withbanks remaining closed and buses, including long-distancebuses, remaining off the roads. Members of the striking trade union bodies took outprotest marches in different parts with the state with thepolice taking about 500 protesters in preventive custody inGuwahati alone. The striking unions are protesting against ‘anti-worker’changes in labour laws like raising foreign investment insectors like Defense and Railways, rising inflation,unemployment and the Centre’s "indifference" to their demandfor better wages. PTI DG MMABI