Unions break promise, shut shops by force
TNN | Updated: Jan 8, 2019, 22:38 IST
With no customers, a vendor takes a nap at the deserted Chalai Market in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. Trade ... Read MoreThiruvananthapuram: The first day of 48-hour stike called by trade unions affected normal life despite tall claims by unions that there won’t be any forceful shutdown. Majority of the shops across the city remained closed on Tuesday.
Though the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) decided to open the shops, majority of shops in Chala market remained closed. Only a few florists and roadside vendors opened shops.
“There was forceful shutdown of shops at Vazhuthacaud and East Fort. When traders opened shops in the morning, the protesters came in large numbers and forcefully shut their shops. In Varkala, they damaged a bakery. We have filed complaints to police on all the issues. However, police are not giving due importance to our concerns,” said Peringamala Ramachandran, district president of KVVES.
Commuters, who travel by train, were the worst affected. Protestors blocked Venad Express at Thiruvananthapuram Central station for around 1.5 hours from 5am, which also resulted in late running of trains such as Rapthisagar, Parasuram and Jan Shatabdi Express. Apart from Pamba trips, KSRTC also stayed off from regular service on Tuesday.
City police operated two buses to Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) and many taxi drivers and ambulance drivers also volunteered to provide similar services for free.
Only private vehicles plied on the road. The trade union activists blocked autorickshaws at Manacaud on Tuesday morning. Shutdown of all major petrol pumps in the city caused trouble for commuters.
The government offices, especially secretariat wore a deserted look on the first day of strike.
Only a few educational institutions functioned on Tuesday. Father Bino Pattarkalam, director of Christ Nagar School, said that the school functioned as normal on Tuesday and there was no inconvenience in transportation. However, there was only 50% attendance on Tuesday. The school will not function on Wednesday.
Kudappanakunnu resident Rajeev Sreechithra said that the announcement of strike in advance helped in making plans for transportation but added that recurring strikes and hartals is not acceptable.
Thycaud resident Sanalkumar, who has been operating free car services to RCC for the past eight years, said that there was no obstruction to the services on Tuesday.
“I conducted around seven trips today which were mostly RCC patients and bystanders who arrived at the railway station,” said Sanalkumar.
Police officials on duty at Thampanoor said that apart from railway blockage, the situation has more or less remained calm as taxi services were available.
Though the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) decided to open the shops, majority of shops in Chala market remained closed. Only a few florists and roadside vendors opened shops.
“There was forceful shutdown of shops at Vazhuthacaud and East Fort. When traders opened shops in the morning, the protesters came in large numbers and forcefully shut their shops. In Varkala, they damaged a bakery. We have filed complaints to police on all the issues. However, police are not giving due importance to our concerns,” said Peringamala Ramachandran, district president of KVVES.
Commuters, who travel by train, were the worst affected. Protestors blocked Venad Express at Thiruvananthapuram Central station for around 1.5 hours from 5am, which also resulted in late running of trains such as Rapthisagar, Parasuram and Jan Shatabdi Express. Apart from Pamba trips, KSRTC also stayed off from regular service on Tuesday.
City police operated two buses to Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) and many taxi drivers and ambulance drivers also volunteered to provide similar services for free.
Only private vehicles plied on the road. The trade union activists blocked autorickshaws at Manacaud on Tuesday morning. Shutdown of all major petrol pumps in the city caused trouble for commuters.
The government offices, especially secretariat wore a deserted look on the first day of strike.
Only a few educational institutions functioned on Tuesday. Father Bino Pattarkalam, director of Christ Nagar School, said that the school functioned as normal on Tuesday and there was no inconvenience in transportation. However, there was only 50% attendance on Tuesday. The school will not function on Wednesday.
Kudappanakunnu resident Rajeev Sreechithra said that the announcement of strike in advance helped in making plans for transportation but added that recurring strikes and hartals is not acceptable.
Thycaud resident Sanalkumar, who has been operating free car services to RCC for the past eight years, said that there was no obstruction to the services on Tuesday.
“I conducted around seven trips today which were mostly RCC patients and bystanders who arrived at the railway station,” said Sanalkumar.
Police officials on duty at Thampanoor said that apart from railway blockage, the situation has more or less remained calm as taxi services were available.
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