Bharat bandh: General strike hits life in Kerala’s Kozhikode district

The nationwide general strike called by a coalition of 10 prominent trade unions in protest against the Union government’s alleged “anti-labour policies” has brought normal life to a standstill in Kozhikode district of Kerala. Shops and other commercial establishments remain shut in the district.

Attempts by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to operate a few rural and city services in Kozhikode was foiled amid the protest staged by a group of trade union workers in front of its Pavangad depot on Wednesday morning. KSRTC sources said they would be able to resume local service only with police protection. However, some long-distance services were operated as usual, they said.

Bharat Bandh LIVE updates: Public transport disrupted in various parts of India as trade unions protest Govt. policies

Several passengers were stranded at the Kozhikode railway station, where taxi operators kept off the roads expressing their solidarity with the strike. Many of the passengers personally arranged private vehicles. Though a few auto-rickshaw drivers turned up early in the morning to pick stranded passengers, they too left the spot later following opposition from trade union leaders.

Meanwhile, the free ride offered by a group of volunteers under ‘Helping hands of Kozhikode’ came to the help of many stranded senior citizens. Several young volunteers were found joining the team with their scooters and motorcycles to support the initiative.

The police also fortified security measures in Kozhikode city by deploying additional patrol squads covering various sensitive areas. They said no incidents of clashes were reported in the initial hours of the strike and arrangements were in place to ensure the smooth movement of all emergency vehicle services. The possibility of operating convoy services would also be checked with KSRTC after reviewing the situation, they said.