Public life to come to standstill; Bharat Bandh until midnight today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Bharat Bandh called by opposition trade unions and service organisations in protest against the anti-worker policies of the central government has begun. The strike will continue till midnight today. The central trade unions, except BMS, have jointly called for a national strike. Workers, central and state government employees, teachers, motor vehicle workers, traders, and those in the banking and insurance sectors will participate, causing disruption to public life.

Essential services, newspaper and milk distribution have been exempted. Transport to railway stations, airports and hospitals, arranged marriages and the tourism sector have also been exempted. The organisations rejected the statement made by Minister KB Ganesh Kumar that the labour unions of KSRTC will not be part of the strike and buses will run.