No impact of strike called by 10 central trade unions in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: The nationwide strike called by 10 central trade unions to protest against changes in labour laws and privatisation of PSUs has not affected the normal life in Tamil Nadu, police said today.

Shops and commercial establishments were functioning though various trade unions were holding protests at different parts of the state, police said.

Government owned and private transport buses continued their services normally. Attendance in government offices and private establishments were also normal, it said.

All government and private hospitals also worked, it added.

Meanwhile, a Puducherry report said normal life was hit due to the strike as shops, hotels and business establishments remained closed in the entire union territory.

Though government owned buses conducted services normally, privately operated inter-state and intra-state buses and autorickshaws were off the roads.

Majority of the schools also remained closed while attendance in government offices was normal.

Trade unions owing allegiance to Left parties, Congress, DMK and a few other political parties conducted rallies and dharnas as part of the strike.

Puducherry unit CPI Secretary R Viswanathan, INTUC president G Ravichandran, CPI (M) leader V Perumal and AITUC General Secretary V S Abishegam were arrested for holding protests, police said.

No untoward incident was reported from any part of the union territory following the strike, police said.