Newsroom24x7 Desk

Kolkata : West Bengal awoke to a partial standby on normal life as 10 central trade unions called upon a countrywide general strike and semi-paralyzed life in general inside this ever-so energetic and vibrant city of Kolkata in particular, and whole of West Bengal in general.

Hustle bustle of normal life came to a standstill as shops, markets and business establishments in most areas remain closed. Low numbers of road commutes in the likes of buses and taxis gave an empty feeling to the ever busy streets. Fewer peolple boarded public transport anticipating restricted movement and discomfort.

Metro services did seem to run normally and brought some relief to daily commuters.Thankfully, railways too did not succumb to the strike-pressure and train services of South Eastern railway were normal. The same could not be said for Eastern railway as suburban services in Sealdah south section were disrupted due to blockade at certain locations.

Ruling TMC urged people to maintain normalcy but the opposition Left Front coaxed public at large to tear away government’s keep-normal circulars and jump into the strike full on.

Protesting against the policies of BJP-led NDA Central government, as many as 10 to 12 trade unions have drafted a 12-point demand list, in the likes of – withdrawal of proposed ‘anti-worker’ amendments in labor laws, stopping disinvestment and privatization of PSUs etc.