Most shops, markets and other business units remained closed in Kozhikode district on Monday, the first day of a two-day national strike called by central trade unions against the anti-worker policies of the central government, and public transport was badly affected.
There are reports of two-four riots coming from different parts of the district.
P. Libijith and Shinisha, a couple from Govindpuram in Kozhikode city, filed a police complaint alleging that their autorickshaw was damaged while returning from the temple in the morning by the strike supporters. The family, including his two children, alleged that the incident took place near the electric crematorium on Mavoor Road. The front window of the car was broken.
A makeshift shop set up under the Arayadathupalam flyover in Kozhikode got good patronage on Monday as most other eateries were closed due to the trade union strike. , photo credit: K. Ragesh
In another incident, Sujeeth, a football referee from Odisha, who had come to Kerala to participate in a national championship, faced an unpleasant situation. Some people blew the tires of an autorickshaw he was about to board a train from the railway station to Coimbatore. Later the police helped him to reach the police station.
KP Sreedharan, an office-bearer of the Kerala Vyapari Vyapari Ekopana Samiti in Koylandi, alleged that he was assaulted by a group of strike supporters when he tried to open his shop. They also sprinkled cow seed powder on his body.
Kerala Road Transport Corporation did not operate its services. Barring a few shops selling tea, coffee and snacks, most of the shops remained closed. The major markets of Kozhikode city such as Palayam and Valiangadi also did not function. Fruits and vegetables were left in the open outside some shops in Palayam. Business units on Mavoor Road and SM Street, the main commercial areas of the city, also remained closed.
Migrant laborers trying to get into an autorickshaw at Kozhikode railway station were hit by a strike on Monday as public transport. , photo credit: K. Ragesh
Private vehicles, both two wheelers and four wheelers, were seen plying on the roads. Although branches of public sector banks like State Bank of India were open, there were no customers in many places. Police vans and vehicles arranged by volunteers were deployed outside the Kozhikode railway station to help the passengers reach their destinations.
Fuel outlets were not working at many places. There were reports of clashes between those supporting the strike and employees of petrol outlets in Mukkom.
During this, workers of the Trade Union Coordination Committee took out a march on Mavoor Road.
Livelihoods of daily wage laborers affected
Meanwhile, the strike has affected the livelihood of daily wage workers who are already reeling under financial crunch due to the pandemic.
“I don’t know what the strike is for,” said Shinod Avi, a driver from Puthiyara in the city. He said that a large number of people like him shared the sentiments. Having lost his stationery business due to the pandemic, Shinod, being the sole breadwinner of the family, is struggling to feed both. His wife, who was a salesgirl, also lost her job recently. “I am 51 years old. No one will give me a job at this age.”
Although the trade unions have issued a statement that private vehicles will not be stopped during the strike, most people are reluctant to take out their vehicles for fear of attack.
AC Technician Harish Tharammal is disappointed to have lost two working days in the peak season. “We find most of our work during the months of March, April and May. We have to earn enough during these months and save for the rainy season when we may not have any work,” he said, adding that not being able to go out for two days and work is a huge loss. “Such attacks should have been avoided as people are still in a state of recovery from the crisis induced by COVID. People of other states are not even aware of this strike.
Domestic maid Shanta K. Unemployed since last four days. She has to travel 10 kilometers to the house where she works three days a week. She could not go to work for three days due to the bus strike and now a two-day trade union strike. She is supporting a family of four and is worried about the jobless week.