NEW DELHI: Normal life in several parts of the country continued to remain affected on Day 2 of the nationwide strike called by the trade unions.
Cops in Noida are on high alert, after widespread violence on the first day of the strike. According to TV reports, several schools and offices in Noida have been closed.
The UP government has formed a two-member panel to probe the violence in Noida on the first day of the two-day nationwide shutdown.
The state government late on Wednesday named additional director general of police (Law and Order) Arun Kumar and home secretary Rakesh as members of the probe committee and asked them to submit a fact finding report within three days.
Principal secretary (Home) RM Srivastava told IANS that "toughest action" would be taken against those found guilty of violence.
The committee has been asked to look into the state of preparedness of the Noida police to handle the shutdown and identify district officials guilty of dereliction of duty.
"The government has taken a serious note of the whole episode, wherein properties were gutted, people were beaten up and several vehicles were set on fire. There should be no doubt that the government would crack down on all found guilty," Srivastava said.
Violence erupted on Wednesday in Noida and Greater Noida where factories were targeted and set on fire. Violent clashes took place and several vehicles were set afire.
Officials have started screening the video footage of the violence in order to identify and book the perpetrators.
"We are also exploring possibilities of slapping the National Security Act (NSA) on the rioters," a senior official said.
State government sources said chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was particularly miffed at the Noida violence as he views it as a big blow to his efforts to create a pro-investment climate in Uttar Pradesh.
"The chief minister has taken a serious note of the clashes as it could send a wrong signal that industries are not safe in UP," an official said.
In Kerala, workers from most sectors ranging from transport to banking keeping away from work.
Reports from across the state said buses and taxis were off the roads and markets remained shut. Train and air services were not affected.
Attendance in government offices was thin and educational institutions remained closed as pro-Left service and teachers unions joined the strike. Universities have cancelled examinations scheduled for the last two days.
Barring stray incidents of minor violence, the state has remained peaceful since Wednesday.
Police in their vehicles facilitated the short-distance travels of train and air passengers, who arrived in the state unaware of the hartal atmosphere.
Emergency services like healthcare, milk supply and media have been exempted from the strike.
In Mangalore, however, there has been no effect of strike on Day 2. The buses are plying normally and the schools are functioning as usual.
(With inputs from PTI, IANS)
Day 2 of nationwide strike: Cops on alert in Noida; UP govt forms panel to probe violence
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Day 2 of nationwide strike: Cops on alert in Noida; UP govt forms panel to probe violence
