Trade union strike peaceful in Malabar

KOZHIKODE: The strike called by left trade unions in protest against the anti-labour policies of the union government was complete and peaceful in the city, according to police. No untoward incidents were reported. Schools, government offices, institutions and business establishments remained closed. Two-wheelers were found plying on the roads the entire day but only a few cars were found on the road. Buses, taxi cars and autorikshaws kept off the road. Unlike in the past, many IT firms at Uralungal Cyber Park and Hi-Lite Business Park functioned.

Passengers who got stranded at Kozhikode railway station as autos, taxis and buses kept off roads on Friday. (Photo: DC)K.A. Basith,a  resident of Vandippetta told DC that it was the most peaceful strike day that he witnessed. It seems a majority spent the day with the family,he said, adding that there were long queues not only in front of Beverages corporation outlets but also in front of chicken stalls. “At the central market at Nadakkavu the chicken stalls went out of stock by twilight”, he added. Meanwhile in Wayanad, a few scattered incidents of waylaying of inter-state trucks were reported. Wayanad SP K Karthik told DC that two persons were arrested in connection with waylaying a truck in Kalpetta. 

A few commuters decided to walk carrying their luggage as no help seemed forthcoming on Friday. (Photo: DC)

“This apart, there were no other major incidents”, he said. In Kannur, two country bombs were exploded in two separate incidents injuring two.  Kannur SP Sanjay Kumar Gurudin told DC that there were no untoward incidents apart from the two blasts in the district. The strike was complete and peaceful. Educational institutions, business establishments and offices remained closed.  The strike in Kasargod and Malappuram also was complete.