Strike hits commercial life in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla: Banks and commercial establishments were closed across Himachal Pradesh on Friday after trade unions of central government employees joined the nationwide strike to protest the violation of labour laws and privatisation.

Most of the private hotels and hydropower projects, banks and government insurance companies, as well as the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) were badly hit as their employees went on a day-long strike.

State-run Himachal Road Transport Corporation, however, did not participate in the shutdown.

State electricity board employees joined the protest but they were not observing strike, a government official said.

Also, there was no impact on air, rail and road traffic in the state.

State president of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Jagat Ram told IANS: "There is a complete shutdown in private hotels, hydropower projects and central departments like the Central Board of Excise and Customs."

CITU is affiliated to the Communist Party of India-Marxist.

"No violence was reported across the state," a senior police officer said.