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Jammu, Feb 20 (IANS) The two-day nationwide strike called by major trade unions evoked partial response in Jammu Wednesday as majority of private and commercial vehicles plied on roads and shops and other business establishments remained open in the city. All the major banks in Jammu, except the Jammu and Kashmir Bank, observed the strike. "We are doing all transactions as per routine. Only outstation clearing is not being done," said Anil Sharma, public relation officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank. Although there was no major drop in the number of vehicles covering short distances in the city, long-distance commuters arriving at the Jammu railway station had to wait for longer than usual for mini-buses and taxis, some of which remained off road. Coolies and some private taxi owners at the station too joined the strike. Employees of private and nationalised banks held small demonstrations in various parts of the city. The main protest was held at the administrative office of the State Bank of India. "The demonstrators agitated against the government's anti-worker policies and the attempt by the management of banks and government to deunionize employees," said Shyam Lal Hans, deputy general secretary of the State Bank of India Staff Association. The nationwide strike has been called jointly by unions like the Indian Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC) and other such central organisations in support of their 10-point charter of demands.
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