India
Bharat Bandh entered the second day on Wednesday with a new controversy. The government officials attacked the SBI treasury branch office in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Thiruvananthapuram: A group of 8 government officials including 1 SBI employee attacked the treasury branch office of the bank in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, under the name of Bharat Bandh. It is revealed that registration-GST department officials have done this inappropriate act.
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Though the SBI office functioned yesterday (Tuesday), today, the attackers barged into the office and asked the officials to stop working. This was followed by a fight between the officers and the protesters.
Later, the mob of attackers barged into the cabin of the manager and damaged computers, mobile phones and office tables. The manager has lodged a complaint with Thiruvananthapuram Cantonment police station. He told the media that the bank would not be able to function for the day due to fear of further attacks.
Meanwhile, as the leaders had said that they would only be picketing railway stations and not blocking trains, the promise proved to be false.
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At several places in the state, railway transport was disrupted by the protesters. Meanwhile, the cops arrested the protesters and shifted them to the police station. Due to protests at several places, trains are running late.
Most of the shops continue to remain closed. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses too are not plying. However, compared to yesterday, more number of private vehicles are seen on the roads.
The two-day national strike is being staged by the trade unions against Centre’s labour policies. The protesters will take out a march to the Parliament today (Wednesday), demanding that Centre government change its labour policies.
The strike has also affected the industrial and agricultural sectors of the state.
Bombs were hurled at the houses of the CPI(M) and BJP leaders in Koyilandy on Tuesday, the day various trade unions observed Bharat Bandh. The houses of the CPI(M) leader K Shiju and corporation education standing committee chairman, and VK Mukundan, BJP mandalam secretary, were attacked.
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