Life unaffected in central region during nation-wide strike by various trade unions

Life remained unaffected on Thursday as the nation-wide strike called by various central trade unions against the BJP-led NDA government’s “anti-worker”, “anti-farmer”, and “pro-corporate” policies drew a lukewarm response in the central region but was marked by a series of protests at different places in Tiruchi and other districts by members of various trade unions.

The protesting trade unions demanded the Centre to repeal the four labour codes, withdraw the Draft Seed Bill and the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, reduce fuel prices among others. Members of the LPF, CITU, AITUC, INTUC, HMS, AICCTU, and LLF participated in the protests jointly organised at various places in the central region in support of their demands leading to their arrests.

In Tiruchi, several trade union members assembled near the Periyar statue from where they took out a procession to the Junction to stage a “rail roko” stir. Despite being prevented by a posse of police personnel, many trade union members entered the Tiruchi Railway Junction and squatted on the track for sometime leading to their arrest.

The police said about 300 trade union members were arrested and later released. Another group of about 150 trade union members were arrested after they squatted on the railway track for a few minutes at the Srirangam railway station. Those arrested were subsequently released.  Protests were held elsewhere in Tiruchi district including at Tiruverumbur, Lalgudi, Vaiyampatti, and Thottiyam.

Stir in Perambalur

A “road roko” was held in Perambalur near the new bus stand leading to the arrest of about 100 members of various trade unions. The “road roko” was held in Ariyalur with the police arresting about 200 trade union members who were released. About 100 members of different trade unions staged a protest at Velipalayam in Nagapattinam district. In Pudukottai district, around 700 trade union members staged a protest near the head post office in Pudukottai.

Banking operations were affected in Tiruchi district as employees and officers affiliated to the All India Bank Employees Association, the All India Bank Officers Association, and Banking Employees Federation of India participated in the strike, said sources.