Left wing trade unions observe strike in HP

Shimla, Aug 20 (UNI) Left wing trade unions today observed complete strike in support of the day-long general strike called by left parties to protest the Union government's 'anti-people' economic policies and the Indo-US nuclear deal.

The CITU, BSNL Employees Union, LIC Employees Union, All India Bank Employees Association, GIC Employees Union, Central Government Employees Union observed general strike and hold massive demonstrations throughout the state.

The members of trade unions came on the streets and hold procession march from lower-Bazar to Naaz in Shimla.

Banking operations were affected in the state as employees of public sector banks struck work today. Accountant General, Income Tax, Centre Public Work Department, Military Engineers Services and several others also took part in the strike.

State CITU, Joint Secretary, Vijender Mehra claimed that All India Left Union strikes draw complete response throughout the state.

He said that Hydel belts of Satluj, Beas and Ravi basins also took part in the strike and hold massive gathering in their respective places.

He said that workers struck work in the Hydal Projects of Kol-Dam, 1500mw SJVNL, Chamera in Chamba district, Saini and Barshainl in Kullu district, Sawra-Kuddu in Shimla district, Uhi in Mandi and in several other projects of state.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh CPI(M) in a press release issued here claimed that the strike draw strong response throughout the state.

Party Secretariat member Tikender Panwar claimed that protest was also organised by the college teachers, school teachers, forest corporation and electricity board and several other department of the state besides employees of Union Government and public sector companies in the state.

He also said that farmers of the state also participated in the protest in large number in several districts of state.

UNI XC PS JS1608