Bharat Bandh on 8 January: The 24-hour shutdown began at 6 am.
Rail and road traffic was hit in several states, including Bengal, Odisha and Andhra, as a nationwide strike by ten trade unions began this morning against what they have called "anti-labour policies of the government, along with other issues".
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions is among the ten trade unions that have called for countrywide protests. Nine other trade unions, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC, are also part of the strike, according to CITU.
In Bengal, train tracks were blocked by protesters in Howrah and Kanchrapara in North 24 Parganas district. The Left has accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of doublespeak after the state government said it would not support the strike. In Odisha, the strike affected road and rail traffic in Talcher, Bhubaneswar, Brahmapur, Bhadrak and Kendujhargarh.
The government on Tuesday had warned central trade unions of "consequences" against the nationwide strike. "Any employee going on strike in any form would face the consequences which, besides deduction of wages, may also include appropriate disciplinary action," an order issued by the Ministry of Personnel said today. In its order the ministry said government servants were prohibited from participating in strikes or protests.
Here are the live updates on Bharat Bandh strike:
Bharat Bandh 2020: Clashes In Malda
Bandh supporters and police clashed at kaliachak in Malda this afternoon when police tried to remove a road blockade on National Highway 34 that links Kolkata to Guwahati. Police had to use rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd which allegedly pelted them with stones.
Bharat Bandh 2020: Normal Life Affected In Tripura Amid Shutdown Call
In Tripura, local markets are shut, normal life has been affected amid shutdown call.
Bharat Bandh: Chennai Police Detains Protesters
Chennai Police today detained protesters who were a part of the nationwide strike by trade unions. The ruling AIADMK is not supporting the Bandh call, while the opposition DMK supports the Bandh.
Protests In Chennai Against Bharat Bandh
This morning, several trains were stopped in Bengal when crude bombs were found on train tracks.
Assam Government's Notice Amid Bharat Bandh ProtestThe state government in Assam has issued order to all districts heads, department heads to ensure normal functioning amid nationwide strike.
Bharat Bandh 2020: Maharashtra Government Supports Strike CallThe Uddhav Thackeray government supports today's Bharat Bandh call by various trade unions, state minister Ashok Chavan said today.
Bharat Bandh 2020: Sena Extends Support To Strike CallThe Shiv Sena today extended its support to trade unions'' ''Bharat Bandh'' call and slammed the central government for its policies and decisions. In its mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena said that during the "first regime of BJP government, the industry and labour class was badly affected due to its decisions like demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST), news agency ANI reported.
The editorial stated that people expected that things will improve, but "six months have passed since the present government was formed and neither industries nor the condition of the labourers improved".
Bharat Bandh 2020: Rahul Gandhi Supports Protests, Tweets Against Modi Government
Bharat Bandh 2020: Protesters Block Railway Track In Bengal's Howrah