Bengal: Working Class Shows Fighting Spirit in Observing General Strike

Kolkata: West Bengal turned into battlefield on Wednesday from the wee hours of the morning, with clashes reported in various places between the striking workers and members of the ruling Trinamool Congress, police as well as the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP).

Several rallies were taken out across the state with working people holding red flags as part of the countrywide strike call by central trade unions, independent federations and farmer organisations against the anti-people policies of the BJP-led Central government.

Over 1,000 Left workers were arrested by the police for taking part in the protest rallies, a democratic right of citizens. 

The CPI(M) said its workers faced the brunt of police attack on unarmed protesters. Around 1.30 a.m, a  college gate that was closed as everybody had joined the strike, was forcibly opened by the police. The CPI(M) has called for protests for the next three days against the “nefarious role” of the state police. In Baranagar of North Parganas district, clashes were reported between the ‘Bharat Bandh’ supporters and its detractors, leaving many injured. In Coochbehar of North Bengal, 89 hartal supporters were arrested.

The working people of Bengal came out in huge numbers, building human fortresses in every road, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) state general secretary Ziaul Alam said.  After joining a protest march in support of the strike up to the Entally market in Central Kolkata, the workers and employees bravely faced the police onslaught, he added.

Work in educational institutions, banks, insurance and government departments mostly came to a standstill. There were reports of arrests in Kanthi in East Medinipore district, Jadavpore in South 24 Parganas and Chanchol of Malda district.   

In Posta of Burrabazar, one of the largest trading hubs, coolies and other workers stopped work and shouted slogans in support of the strike. 

Most private bus workers, too, joined. Bus and railway services remained stalled as strike supporters squatted on the roads, in front of the factory gates, in mohallas and business establishments. 

In the tea gardens, over 90% workers joined the strike. In Jalpaiguiri, out of 153 tea gardens, the strike was total in 130, according to CPI(M). In North Bengal’s Darjeeling district sporadic clashes were reported between strike supporters and TMC activists. 

Kolkata bore a deserted look from 6 a.m. In Pandua rail station in Hooghly, TMC supporters clashed with Left supporters. However, the Metro remained open, but maintained its run with a low number of passengers. Later, it, too, closed down. Air services in the city were also affected as also work at the Salt Lake Electronic Complex, which houses a large number of tech companies. However, some essential services companies carried on with their work.

Manipur Comes to a Standstill

Manipur in the North East came to a standstill on Wednesday as the nationwide general strike called by the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations/Associations got widespread support.

State government employees, school and college teachers, bank, insurance, BSNL, postal employees, scheme workers, namely, midday meal workers, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and helpers, NHM workers etc., motor vehicle workers, construction workers, shop and establishment workers, telecom workers, farmers and agricultural workers aprticiapted in the protest action.

Ema market and other markets in urban and rural Manipur were totally paralysed. Passenger vehicles, petroleum and gas tankers and trucks were off the road. Only private cars were plying. Employees and workers held a sit-in protest in their respective offices and educational institutions. The general strike was total in Jiribam district and partial in the hill districts, said Kshetrimayum Santa of Coordinating Body of Trade Unions in Manipur.