Trade union nationwide strike near total in Kochi city

September 3, 2016 | Published by : Avinash Nandakumar

KOCHI,Sept3: The nationwide strike on Friday was near total in the city as vehicles kept off the roads, and shops and commercial establishments remained closed. Except for emergency services like hospitals, other institutions such as schools, colleges and government offices did not function. The city roads wore a deserted look but for the occasional movement of two-wheelers.

Police and ‘Say No to Hartal’ movement volunteers came to the rescue of passengers who were stranded at railway stations in the city. While passengers were taken to the destinations in police vans, the volunteers offered free pillion ride on their two-wheelers.

Meanwhile, Muthamkuzhy village near Kothamangalam, which pledged to oppose all forms of hartal faced the wrath of protesters. By 11am, protesters affiliated to a political party, forcibly closed around 18 shops and eateries.

Eldhose Kuriakose, a shopowner said, “The shops remained open during the previous four hartals. No political party forced us to down shutters. But on Friday morning, the protesters forced us to close the shops. They were outsiders and misbehaved with us.”

However, the Kerala high court functioned and judges reached the court complex with police escort. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s (DMRC) office also functioned as usual. But no work took place at Metro sites. As there was no transportation, it was not possible for workers to reach the sites between Aluva and Vyttila.

The Cochin Port Trust said their operations were not affected.

Tags: #closed, #Kochi, #Strike, #tradeunion