Activists block rail tracks, traffic hit

Amritsar, January 8

On a call of nationwide strike, activists, workers and employees associated with Left-leaning organisations blocked railway tracks on Wednesday. A large number of trade union members, labourers, bankers and farmers gathered on the Bhandari bridge on Wednesday morning. Employees of various government departments, including the Roadways, the PSPCL, Telecom, Education and Post, participated in the protest. After gathering at the bridge, the unionists took out a march toward railway lines. The police had barricaded the road. Activists jumped the barricades and sat on railway tracks.

Bant Singh Brar criticised the Union Government’s policies. He said economy of the country had been stagnant due to policies of the BJP government. “The growth rate is going down constantly. Industries are closing down and the unemployment figures are steadily rising. Because of increase in fees of educational institutions, anxiety of students is also increasing,” said Brar

“In order to divert people’s attention from public issue, the Central government first abolished Article 370 and threw people of Jammu and Kashmir into open jails. Now, the Citizenship Amendment Act is putting fuel on the fire. Efforts are being made to create a communal atmosphere in the country. The attack on JNU students is condemnable,” added Brar.

CTU president Vijay Mishra urged the Punjab Government to increase minimum wages of laborers. He said the minimum wages should be Rs 21,000 per month and Rs700 per day. — TNS