The first day of the two-day general strike called by the Central trade unions evoked mixed response in West Bengal on Wednesday.
The Mamata Banerjee government deployed a large number of government transport and also coaxed some private buses, mini buses and autos to ply on the roads. By issuing a circular warning government employees of salary deduction and break-in service, she ensured near total attendance.
However, despite her threats of strong administrative action, shopkeepers kept their establishments closed. Ms Banerjee, however, claimed that nearly 40 per cent of the shops were open. Her claim was not reflected by the ground reality. The main business hubs, including Burrabazar, New Market and Vardaan Market were closed. Most of the shops and showrooms on both sides of the roads in nearly all areas of the city kept their shutters down. Private schools and colleges were closed. Government schools were open but attendance was poor.
Political observers feel that the chief minister’s overzealous attempt at foiling the strike proved counter-productive.
“She told the shopkeepers that the government would pay compensation if their shops were damaged. She did not say that she would ensure that their shops were not damaged. Her statement instilled a sense of fear instead of confidence in the traders who decided against taking the risk. Further, the Garden Reach violence in which a police officer was murdered also added to their insecurity,” they said, adding that many of them also wanted to defy her because of the threat of cancellation of licence.
Train services were normal in Howrah and Sealdah divisions with isolated incident of blockade at Baidyabati station in Hooghly. Operations at the Kolkata airport was also normal and there were no cancellation of flight. During the day, Metro Railway ran all its 270 services as per weekday schedule from 7 am.
Metro beefed up security at the entrance of the stations, said deputy general manager of the Kolkata Metro Railway Protyush Kumar Ghosh.