Poor response to ‘Bharat Bandh’ in Puducherry

The trade unions-sponsored ‘Bharat Bandh’ on Thursday had little impact on normal life in Puducherry.

The strike was called by a joint forum of Central trade unions to register their protest against the anti-worker, anti-farmer and pro-corporate policies of the Central government.

Schools and colleges in Puducherry functioned as usual. Public transport was also not affected; buses and autorickshaws operated as usual. However, banking operations were hit in Puducherry.

Most of the shops and commercial establishments on the arterial Jawaharlal Nehru Street and Mahatma Gandhi Road remained open and transacted business as usual.

The government offices functioned as usual. There was no impact on the functioning of Industrial Estates at Thattanchavady, Sedurapet, Thirubhuvanai and Mettupalayam.

Over 200 persons led by former Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy and CPI Puducherry secretary A.M. Saleem were arrested when they attempted to block traffic on Maraimalai Adigal Salai. All the arrested leaders and party functionaries were released in the evening.