Strike evokes mixed response in Congress-ruled Karnataka

Bengaluru :The nationwide strike called by 10 central trade unions today evoked a mixed response in the Congress-ruled Karnataka with stray incidents of stone pelting in the city.

The strike remained largely peaceful other than stray incidents of stone pelting on buses reported from different places in the state, including the capital, police said.

With state transport workers also joining the protest objecting to the proposed motor bill, public transport in the IT capital was almost paralysed with buses not plying.

Though auto unions had extended their support to the agitation, they started plying as the day progressed.

Schools and colleges had declared a holiday, while attendance in government offices was thin.

Passengers travelling to far off places and office goers faced difficulty as they had to depend on personal transport or private transport, whom they accused of over charging.

Passengers who had travelled to city from other places also faced difficulty in reaching their destinations from the central bus stand and the railway station.

As many as 12 central trade unions had given the strike call over a 12-points charter of demands, including withdrawal of the proposed changes in the labour laws and stopping the disinvestment and privatisation of PSUs.

Police said they had made adequate arrangements to ensure that no untoward incidents occurred.

PTI