Gen strike successful, claims COBTUM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 02 2016:
Co-ordinating Body of Trade Unions, Manipur (COBTUM) has claimed that their 12-hour State-wide general strike was successful.
COBTUM is a conglomeration of Central Trade Unions like AITUC, CITU, INTUC, TUCC, UTUC, AICCTU, HMS and independent federations and associations of Central and State Govt employees, University, college, school teachers and employees in Manipur, said a statement.
The general strike was called in pursuance of their 16-point charter of demands including 12 demands of central trade union.
COBTUM said bank, insurance, post office, BSNL, AG and FCI employees closed their respective offices and staged protest.
Most of the schools and colleges remained closed as the teachers and employees abstained from attending offices, added the statement.
It further said that construction workers, including the brick kiln workers organized sit-in-protests at their work sites and individual construction workers also stopped working to extend support to the general strike.
All the inter-State and State bus services and trucks including petroleum tankers were off the roads, the statement said and added that women markets in Imphal city look deserted and the commercial and business centres remained closed.
Most of the shops in Khwairamband bazar areas were closed as the employees of the shops and establishments joined the strike, the statement added.
Rallies and sit-in-protests were organized in many places by the workers engaged in mid-day meal workers, ASHA and ICDS workers and helpers, NHM employees etc.
The sit-in-protests were addressed by AITUC, State General Secretary L Sotinkumar, CITU State Convenor Kshetrimayum Santa, INTUC State General Secretary Yumnam Ranapratap and TUCC leader Khomdram Gyanesor.
The general strike was supported and participated by more than 150 trade unions and employees associations of organized and unorganized unions and associations, the statement added.
COBTUM further said that VDF with more than 10,000 members and agricultural workers also participated in the strike.
Rallies and sit-in-protests were also staged at Moreh and Jiribam, COBTUM said and added that it is estimated that approximately 5 lakh organized and unorganized workers, employees and agriculture workers participated in the stir.
The bandh called by the surrendered militants of six underground outfits is also on.
It will go on till August 5 .