SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, March 28: Unions leaders of different organizations, especially coal labours organizations claimed a massive impact of their strike calls in Jharkhand-based collieries of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Eastern Coalfield Limited (ECL) and Central Coalfield Limited (CCL) in the initial stage of the day.
INTUC vice-president AK Jha said that coal mining and its dispatch in the first shift was completely affected in Area 1 to 5 in BCCL as miners boycotted their duty.
“In Area 6, an outsourcing company started mining for a while in the morning but later stopped in the wake of the protest of miners,” he added.
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) leader and JBCCI member Lakhan Lal claimed complete impact in collieries of CCL. He said that miners have supported the two-day strike unanimously.
Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) leader Ranvijay Singh also claimed the success of the strike call in the first hour. “First shift of colliery duty was boycotted by miners and we hope it will continue,” he said.
Nirsa-based collieries of BCCL and ECL also witnessed a massive impact. CITU leader and former MLA Arup Chatterji along with supporters were seen campaigning in the collieries of the region.
Ten trade unions have called a two-day nationwide strike (March-28-29) in protest against the privatization policy of the central government.
However, Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has kept itself out of the strike.
Following the strike, work in LIC offices in the Hazaribagh division witnessed complete interruption. Vice-president of LIC Employees Union Hemant Mishra said that though offices were open in all districts, employees did not attend their duty and held a demonstration.
A similar situation was seen at the banks of the Dhanbad district. Employees sat on dharna in front of their offices in support of the strike. Power employees under the banner of Bijli Kamgar Union also boycotted their duty. General secretary Ramkrishna Singh claimed that 90% of JBVNL employees are on strike.
