Balasore: A strike observed by trade unions against "deteriorating law and order situation" in the town threw life out of gear here on Saturday.
The strike call was made jointly by the Trade Union Association Coordination Committee, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (Citu) and the Indian National Trade Union Congress (Intuc). The Congress's district unit also extended supported to the strike.
Shops and business establishments downed shutters and schools and colleges could not function because of the strike. All government offices and defence establishments were closed as it was the second Saturday. Courts in the, albeit open, could not function because of picketing. Trucks did not ply, while the buses were forced to re-route. Train services , however, were not affected.
The agitation was peaceful and no untoward incidents were reported.
The protesters demanded transfer of the police superintendent for his failure to control the worsening law and order situation in the town.
They alleged that although four incidents of violence, including a murder, had been reported in the past month, the police had failed to curb crime.
"Frequent crimes have made the town unsafe. The common people are afraid to move freely. Police inaction has encouraged the criminal elements. The strike was to protest against the condition and the people responded spontaneously," said former Balasore Bar Association secretary Manoj Nayak. Police superintendent Niti Sekhar said three people were arrested in connection with the last month's murder.