Agartala, Feb. 24: The countrywide 24-hour bandh called by the Leftist trade unions to press for a 22-point charter of demands, passed off peacefully. Yesterday, chief secretary R.K. Mathur issued a circular directing government employees to attend offices today, warning that unless they did so action would be taken against them.
Employees, however, stayed away from state and central government offices even though there was hardly any picketing. Students and businessmen also enjoyed a forced holiday.
There were no incidents of confrontation between rival party workers and supporters. Despite their open reservations over the bandh, Opposition Congress and the INPT did not take to the streets to oppose it. Daily wage earners like day labourers and rickshawpullers missed their day?s earnings. CPM sources described the bandh as total and peaceful.