Mail News Service \/Agencies
\nImphal, Feb 20 : : On day-one of the 48-hour nationwide strike by 11 Central trade unions on Wednesday, Manipur also felt the impact of the stir.
\nThe trade unions have imposed the countrywide bandh alleging that the Indian Government\u2019s economic policy supports only the corporate houses while it lets the poor to bear the brunt of recession.
\nIn Manipur, inter-state bus service, including public transport service were off the road due to the general strike. Both private and Government educational educations were also closed. Attendance record in most of the private and Government establishments was low.
\nMost of the major markets, including the Kwairamband bazaar in Imphal were also closed due to the strike. Both private and public financial institutions and fuel stations also remained closed.
\nHowever, private vehicles were seen moving in the city as usual and shops in most places of the district did not down shutters.
\nMeanwhile, employees of the State Bank of India (SBI), Imphal under the aegis of United Forum of Bank Unions, Manipur (UFBUM) chanted slogans in the complex of the bank in support of the stir by All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC). Later, UFBUM also organized a meeting which discussed a range of issues.
\nAITUC national vice president Dr M Nara also took part at the meeting.
\nTalking to reporters after the meeting, Dr Nara claimed that the two-day countrywide strike was successful up to now, saying that about 120 crore people in India are taking part in the stir for the rights of the poor in an unprecedented manner.
\nThe two-day nationwide strike called by eleven major trade unions today, turned violent in some parts of Noida, adjoining national capital.
\nAccording to some TV reports, around thousands of trade union workers protested and pelted stones at some factories that had opened and burnt vehicles in Noida Sector 82.
\nSome policemen have been injured during the clash when they baton charged to disperse the restive crowd.
\nThe strike has impacted banking services and crippled public transport in major cities.
\nIn Punjab and Haryana, the impact of the strike was felt on public transport services as a majority of state owned buses plying on inter-state routes remained off the roads.
\nServices in public sector banks have been hit with both bank employees and officers taking part in the two-day strike in protest against banking reforms and outsourcing etc.
\nThese trade unions have put forward a charter of ten demands before the government such as urgent steps to control price rise, strict enforcement of labour laws in all places of work, social security net for workers in the unorganised sector, end to disinvestment in PSUs and raising minimum wage to Rs.10,000 a month.<\/p>\n\n