THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The all-India trade union strike disrupted normal life in the city. Though largely violence-free, the protestors ensured that shops barring medical shops did not function. Even the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), which usually works during strike days, was targeted by protestors and the buses were not allowed to venture out of garage near Plamoodu. VSSC employees told DC that many returned home after waiting for a long time at bus stops.
“The buses were obstructed at the garage in Plamoodu from morning 7am till around noon. Usually employees are ferried by a convoy that is secured by CISF personels who challenge our strikes. This time it did not happen,” said CPM leader V Sivakutty. Hundred per cent attendance was recorded in around 30 per cent companies in Technopark. “The other companies recorded between 70 to 80 per cent attendance as official vehicles plied on convoy basis with police protection. Some companies gave work-from-home option to employees,” said Hrishikesh Nair, CEO of technopark.
Members of rally organised by trade unions bashed up migrant workers at Attingal College road for allegedly defying strike. Violent clashes erupted between BJP-CPM workers in various places around Jagathy and Karamana as they used the strike day for settling scores. The city police arranged bus service from Thiruvananthapuram central station and transported around 1,000 people mostly coming towards RCC and Medical College Hospital.
5 BJP workers held
The Poojapura police arrested five BJP activists for allegedly vandalising CPM branch office at Parachira near Melarannoor on Friday. The attack happened as retaliation to CPM activists allegedly destroying flag poles of BJP previous night. The arrested men were identified as Rahul B Nair, 22; Akhil, 22; Praveen, 31; Kumaran, 31 and Ayyappan, 24 of Melarannoor.
