Mixed response to general strike in K'taka

Bangalore, Dec 14 (UNI) The nationwide general strike, called by the Leftist trade unions against the UPA Government's economic and labour policies, evoked a mixed response as only Central Government employees, excluding Railways, participated in the stir today.

Central Government employees, including Customs, Income Tax, Postal, Accountant General's office and Civilian officers in Defence also struck work.

While auto-rickshaws remained off the roads, state-run buses plied normally. The response from the public was poor as shops and business establishments remained open, except in some parts of the State.

South Western Railway sources said no train service was affected due to the strike as employees' attendance was normal. Flight services in the State too remained unaffected, airport sources said.

City Police Commissioner N Achuta Rao told UNI that no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the city.

All India Defence Employees Federation Organising Secretary Ravindran Pillai claimed that the response from the Defence Civil employees was total, hitting normal functioning of the department.

The Central Government employees took out a procession in the city and held a meeting near Mysore Bank Circle, protesting against the UPA Government's ''anti-labour'' policies.

According to a Mangalore report, the response was poor as all Government offices and financial institutions functioned normally.

Bus services in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts were also normal.

Members of the Joint Organising Committee of trade unions staged a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office there and raised slogans against the UPA Government's ''anti-labour'' policies.

A Gulbarga report said the response was mixed as some of the business establishments, hotels, cinemas and petrol pumps were closed. The city buses were off the roads. However, all the Central and State Government offices functioned normally.

In Mysore too, the strike evoked a mixed response. Thousands of employees belonging to the Bank Employees Federation of India, insurance sector and public sector units held protests at various points in the city. The agitators also took out a march in the city.

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