Bharat Bandh LIVE: Bengaluru Commuters Hit as Protesters Block Roads, SBI Treasury Branch Attacked in Kerala

Banks, Post Offices Affected By Strike in Gujarat | Banking and postal services continued to be affected in Gujarat on the second day of the two-day strike called by central trade unions on Wednesday. Unions also staged protest marches and demonstrations in major cities. Workers in industrial units at Ankleshwar in Bharuch and those at ports also joined in the shut-down.

Banking Services Interrupted in Telangana | Barring interruption to banking services in some of the public sector banks, it was business as usual in Telangana on Wednesday during the second day of the two-day nationwide stir called by central trade unions. Employees belonging to the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and Bank Employees Federation of India participated in the strike affecting banking transactions partially across the state.

Trains Stopped By Protesters in TN | Trains were stopped by protesters at a few places in Tamil Nadu during the second day of the two-day nationwide stir called by 10 central trade unions.  In Chennai, protests were held at Mount Road and Perambur and Guindy railway stations. Protests were also held in front of Madurai railway station and near the old bus-stand in Thanjavur district and Tiruchirappalli station affecting movement of vehicles and rail traffic.

Trade unions in Delhi marched with flags and posters from Mandi House. All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), All India Central Council of Trade Union (AICCTU) and Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) were present at the march.

Delhi - trade unions march from Mandi House now - united colours of trade union flags challenging the Modi Govt's assault on workers rights! pic.twitter.com/y9q6tvLZbQ

— CPI-ML Liberation (@cpimlliberation) January 9, 2019

Ten central trade unions - INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, AICCTU, UTUC, TUCC, LPF and SEWA - have also called for a nationwide general strike on January 8-9 against what they call

Demonstrations across Karnataka I In Davangere, protesters disrupted the bus services, staged demonstration and burnt the effigy of the prime minister to vent their anger against the central government's workers policies. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses remained stationed in their respective depots across the state as protesters damaged the vehicles.

Train services were hit on the second day of the strike in Odisha as trade union activists staged 'rail roko' at several places including Bhubaneswar, Balasore and Berhampur. Vehicles, including government and private buses refrained from plying and a large number of passengers were seen stranded in bus stands in many places. In Cuttack, the activists staged protest demonstrations and blocked roads at various places.

Bihar's political parties attend protest I Bihar’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party, Hindustani Awam Morcha & Left parties participated on the second-day of strike called by Central Trade Unions demanding minimum wages and social security schemes among others.

Visuals from Patna: RJD, SP, HAM & Left parties participate in the two-day nationwide strike called by Central Trade Unions demanding minimum wages and social security schemes among others. #Bihar pic.twitter.com/rx8pnACkGS

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2019

The bank was ransacked by a group of people who arrived at the branch and demanded that the staff shut down operations on day 2 of the strike.

Protesters gather in Delhi I A small group of protesters have gathered at Delhi's Sansad Marg for the second-day of the trade union strike. Meanwhile, in Goa transport was disrupted as  private buses and tourist taxis remained off roads. While no incidents of violence were reported in Goa, absence of private buses which ply on majority of the public transport routes, left passengers in distress, despite the fact that additional buses from the state government-operated Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC), were pressed into service.

A suspected bomb was found on the rail tracks at North 24 Parganas in West Bengal today. “Our bomb disposal squad has already rushed to the spot. After disposal of the bomb, line will be cleared,” said CPRO Eastern Railway’s Nikhil Kumar. Train services in Eastern Railway zone were disrupted.

West Bengal: A suspicious item was found on railway track at North 24 Parganas in Ashok Nagar,earlier today. Nikhil Kumar, CPRO Eastern Railway says,“It's a suspected bomb. Our bomb disposal squad has already rushed to the spot. After disposal of the bomb, line will be cleared.” pic.twitter.com/6lkDplRlQV

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2019

Train services from Thiruvananthapuram railway station have been disrupted. Thiruvananthapuram-Hyderabad Sabari Express and Venad Express were blocked, while the Kottayam-Nilambur passenger train in Kalamassery was held up for a while.

Protesters gather outside Bengaluru's town hall I Traffic congestion near Bengaluru’s town hall as protesters gathered in front of the municipal building. Only 13% of BMTC buses (428 out of 3226 service) are operational today. Yesterday, on the first-day of the strike 36% of the buses were plying.

Over 32,000 BEST employees went on an indefinite strike on Tuesday over various demands, including higher salaries.

Suspected bomb cleared in West Bengal I The suspected bombs found near Habra’s Ashoknagar in West Bengal has been disposed of by civil authorities as of 10.25 AM. Normal services resumed over the Bangaon section after the bombs were cleared. No disruptions have been reported in Asansol and Malda divisions.

The SBI treasury branch near the government secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram was attacked by strike supporters. The branch manager was manhandled and his room was vandalised.Following the incident, police protection has been given . 

Sujan Chakraborty along with other protestors were detained by police while participating in the two-day nationwide strike called by Central Trade Unions demanding minimum wages and social security schemes among others. Meanwhile, in Coochbebar district, supporters of the strike pelted stones at autos as a result of which the drivers stopped the services.

Kolkata: CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty along with other protestors detained by police while they were participating in the two-day nationwide strike called by Central Trade Unions demanding minimum wages and social security schemes among others. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/umdCeJitKc

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2019

Clashes in West Bengal I A government bus in Cooch Behar in West Bengal was vandalised by protesters. Two people including bus driver were injured. Police are now present are the spot. 

#WestBengal: Protesters during 48-hour Central Trade Unions strike vandalised a government bus in Dinhata, Cooch Behar; 2 people including bus driver injured, police present at the spot pic.twitter.com/1lmOpwgQGO

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2019

All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur has said that there will be a complete bandh in Goa and Bihar, while 100 per cent strike is expected in other parts of the country too. Farming communities, through their associations, have also extended support to the strike. Student and teacher organisations of various universities have also declared support. Meanwhile, public transport in West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala remain disrupted. 

Very few Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses are plying within Bangalore, although most KSRTC buses have turned out in the state on the second-day of the strike. The few BMTC buses which are operating are likely to return to the depot as the employees fear protests. Meanwhile, more trade union members have been seen on the roads with flags.

Crude bombs found in West Bengal station I Five crude bombs were found on a railway track at Habra station in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Train services between Sealdah and Bongaon have been stopped. Meanwhile, two students were injured in the Howrah district after protesters started pelting stones at a bus at Shanpur Mor on the Jhikira-Howrah route.

Howrah: Two students injured after protestors participating in the two-day nationwide strike called by Central Trade Unions demanding minimum wages and social security schemes among others, pelt stones at a bus at Shanpur Mor on Jhikira-Howrah route. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/R3YpOEmUFs

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2019

As of 9 AM, 84% of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation's buses were on the road. Yesterday, on the first-day of the strike, only half the number of buses were seen plying .

Meanwhile, only 36.6% of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses were on road.

Stone pelting incidences in Karnataka I Stone pelting incidences occurred in and around Bangalore in the wee hours of the morning. 12 KSRTC buses were attacked near Wilson garden, Nelamangala road, Mysore road, Audugodi and Madanayakanahalli.

“The government merged the banks, ignoring the interest of bank employees and other people. 500 industrialists committed fraud of more than 10 lakhs crore and the government is doing nothing. I know people are facing problems due to our strike, but I would like to request them to support us because today's pain is tomorrow’s gain,” said Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI)’s all India secretary Joydeb Dasgupta.

Kerala on second-day of strike I Rail Roko protests continue across Kerala on the second day of the trade union's strike. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation incurred a tentative revenue loss of 5.40 crores on the first day of strike after 4,504 schedules were cancelled.

Clashes erupt in West Bengal I Rail roko protests are taking place across the state in the second-day of the trade union strike. A bus was attacked in Howrah injuring two school students. Meanwhile, left supporters clashed with the police in West Bengal's Jadavpur city. CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty and a few other party members were taken into preventive arrests in Jadavpur after yesterday's procession witnessed the attack on a school bus. The West Bengal government has directed bus drivers to wear helmets while driving on the second-day of the strike. 

Visuals from Kolkata-Jadavpur bus stand in Kolkata: State govt directs bus drivers to wear helmet while driving, in view of nationwide strike called by Central Trade Unions demanding minimum wages, social security schemes & against privatisation of public&govt sector. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/Hsw0tCxhtp

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2019

Strike continues in Maharashtra I Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) bus employees have begun their second-day of strike to demand fixation at master grade of 13,500 employees, employed after 2007, and the merging of the BEST budget with BMC's‘A’ budget.

Mumbai: Strike by Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply&Transport(BEST) bus employees over their demands including fixation at master grade of employees employed after 2007,merging BEST budget with ‘A’ budget of BMC & resolving the issue of employee service residences, continues today. pic.twitter.com/P7FWVUXsjJ

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2019

Banks That Have Been Affected Due to Bharat Bandh | The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and Bank Employees Federation of India has informed the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) of the two-day nationwide strike on January 8-9, 2019, IDBI Bank said in a filing to the BSE. In a stock exchange filing, Allahabad Bank said the issues and demands are of industry level and strike call is also given at industry level. Public-sector Bank of Baroda said "in the event of AlBEA and BEFI proceeding on strike on January 8-9, 2019, the functioning of bank's branches/offices in some of the zones may be affected". Private sector Karur Vysya Bank said if the strike call materialises, "the workmen of our bank may take part in the proposed strike on the said date, in which occasion the normal working of the branches/offices of the Bank may get affected during the day".

Day 2 of Bharat Bandh | Banking and transport services will inconvenience the public today as the all-India strike by trade unions enters its second and final day. According to bank unions, thousands of bank employees are participating in the strike, impacting counter activities such as cash deposit and withdrawal, as well as cheque clearances. Officers at many branches were seen handling some of the activities on Tuesday. Several cities have also reported cash shortage in ATMs.