Violence hits industrial activity in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: Industrial and trading activity was adversely affected in the state following the violence sparked by the killing of a Dera leader in Austria even as state industry viewed the law and order problem would "tarnish" its image.

With industry representatives blaming the administration for failing in controlling the situation, almost all industrial units in Jalandhar, Phagwara and Amritsar remained however but some industrial activity took place in Ludhiana.

"All the industrial units in Jalandhar and adjoining areas were closed down because of the large scale violence taking place... workers today did reach factories for their jobs but they returned as we had to shut down our factories due to violence," Jalandhar-based Sports Goods Manufacturers Association Chairman Raghunath Rana said.

The bilateral trade with Pakistan through Attari-Wagah route was also hit because of the violence, with exporters withholding their supplies.

"In the morning every thing was fine but as the news spread across the state, majority of workers after the lunch session did not return and those who did, were not actively participating in their respective jobs, resulting into loss of production hours," Ludhiana-based United Cycles Parts and Manufacturers Association President Charanjit Singh said.

Sports goods industry was the worst-hit as exporters were forced to postpone their shipments.