Bharat bandh: Trade union strike paralyses life in Kannur, Kasaragod districts of Kerala

A 24-hour nationwide strike called by a joint platform of 10 Central trade union brought normal life to a near halt in Kannur and Kasaragod districts of Kerala on Thursday (February 12, 2026).

In Kannur, trade unions organised a protest march to the railway station as part of the strike against what they termed “anti-worker labour codes, anti-people and anti-farmer policies of the Centre” and measures allegedly weakening the employment guarantee scheme. Union leaders addressed workers during the march and warned that even private vehicles venturing onto roads would be stopped.

In Kannur, the CITU and INTUC observed the strike separately. INTUC stayed away from a joint protest following a KPCC directive against coordinated action in the backdrop of the Assembly elections. While Secretariat action council and Kerala Private State Teachers Association did not joint the strike, the NGO Association participated.

In Kasaragod, the strike was total, with transport and trade coming to a standstill. No buses operated on the Kerala-Karnataka routes, and KSRTC services were suspended. Government and private schools, and government offices remained closed. Shop in towns and rural areas were shut, barring a few medical stores.

Auto and taxi workers stayed off the roads in solidarity and only a handful of private vehicles were seen. Railway stations reported sparse passenger presence. Despite the scale of the shutdown, no incidents of vehicle obstruction or violence were reported in the district.

At the Collectorate and other offices, attendance was minimal. All major trade unions except the BMS supported the national strike. Workers staged demonstration at various centres across Kasaragod district.

The strike, which began at midnight on Wednesday and will continue till midnight on Thursday, led to the closure of shops and commercial establishments across the State. Central and State government offices and public sector banks saw disrupted functioning. Transport services were severely affected, with auto-rickshaw, taxi, bus and lorry workers joining the strike. Railway and airport employees also participated.

Employees from sectors including ports, electricity, telecom, IT, banking, insurance, online trade joined the agitation. Essential services such as milk supply, newspaper, hospitals and medical shops were exempted.