Guwahati, 20th August 2008
Guwahati along with the state today observes a mix reacted strike during the dawn to dawn general strike in the country by the Left-backed trade unions and Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on the continuing price hike of essential commodities. The day becomes more paralyzed when the strike is also supported by the All India Students Federation (AISF) and the Assam Auto rickshaw Association called for a strike against their demands.
News of railway blockade is also reported at Rangia junction and Barpeta stations where the AISF and left agitators taken out protest rallies to mark their demands. A few local trains are gone into a delayed schedule for the blockade as informed by the Railway Headquarter, Assam. The city roads missed the traffic jams and the city buses where as daily office goers find it difficult to reach their destinations. “I need to go to Mumbai today but there is no transportation to reach and its become hectic all the time that some body give Bandh for benefits of the public and the public is the worst victim”, complained Debojit Borthakur, a Mumbai based film actor.
Citing the Government’s policy as Anti- Public the CITU members have supported the strike and demanded the immediate solution of the problems of common living. “Its a shame that UPA never listen to the common public, they did the N-Deal and though instead of making the public relief from high price rise they are mump to it and spelling only diplomatic words which leads no where”, alleged Chinmoy Roy, executive member of CITU.
With the support form the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA) and Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) the state went through a tough time when the trade exchange gone paralyzed. Fancy bazaar, the economic hub of the state remain silent during the strike as the trucks carrying goods lined up and can go nowhere. “I can’t find a rational approach towards the strike as if there would be no economic exchange then there would be price hike too, its co related. But will these Bandhs can make a solution?, asked Mahabir Jain, chairman of Kamrup Chamber of Commerce.
Offices, schools, colleges and other public services also got disrupted between the 24 hour bandh though there is no news of any miscreants in the region.
