General strike peaceful in Chittoor

A general strike was observed in Chittoor on Thursday as part of the nationwide ‘Bharath Bandh’ call given by central trade unions against the NDA government’s alleged anti-worker and anti-farmer policies.

The protest began at 11 a.m. from MRO office park in Chittoor town. Trade union members, workers and representatives of various organisations participated in a rally that proceeded to the Gandhi statue. Protesters raised slogans criticising the Union government’s economic and labour policies, and demanded their withdrawal.

Addressing the gathering at Gandhi statue, Communist Party of India (CPI) Chittoor district secretary and AITUC district honorary president S. Nagaraju said the strike was part of a countrywide movement to safeguard the rights of workers and farmers. He alleged that recent policy decisions had adversely impacted unorganised labour and small farmers, and called upon the government to hold discussions with trade unions.

Organisers claimed good participation in the strike, while essential services functioned without major disruption.