Bhubaneswar, Feb, 12: Central trade unions and independent federations have called for a nationwide general strike on February 12. Major parties in Odisha, including CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML) Liberation, and All India Forward Bloc, have appealed to make the strike a complete success.
The joint platform of major central trade unions such as INTUC, HMS, AITUC, CITU, AIUTUC, AICCTU, TUCC, LPF, UTUC, SEWA, along with various independent federations, has alleged that since the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government assumed office for its third term at the Centre, there have been severe attacks on workers, farmers, students, youth, women, minorities, Dalits, Adivasis, and intellectuals. In protest against these policies, they have called for a nationwide general strike and shutdown.
Addressing a press conference held at Bhagabati Bhavan today, union leaders urged the public to support the bandh. However, essential services such as healthcare, ambulance services, water supply, media services, and fire brigade operations will be exempted from the strike.
The general strike is scheduled from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and the people of the state have been appealed to extend their support.
Among those present at the press conference were CPI State Secretary Dr. Prashant Kumar Mishra, CPI(M) State Secretary Suresh Panigrahi, CPI(ML) Liberation State Secretary Yudhisthir Mahapatra, All India Forward Bloc State President Purnachandra Padhi, CPI State Assistant Secretary Jayanta Das, and former MLA N. Narayan Reddy.
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