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Kolkata, Feb 21 (IANS) Normal life was partially affected in West Bengal Thursday on the final day of a two-day nationwide strike called by central trade unions. The impact was, however, less compared to Wednesday as the West Bengal unit of the Marxist CITU decided to observe Thursday only as an industrial strike. This, it said, was because Feb 21, the International Mother Tongue Day, is celebrated as 'Bhasha Divas' in West Bengal. Industrial activity was affected and banking services were crippled. The bank strike, called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which is in tandem with the 48-hour protest called by 11 central trade unions, also entered the second day. "Almost all bank branches were closed across the state. Most ATMs are closed," UFBU convenor N.N. Bhattacharya told IANS. With the transport sector kept out of the purview Thursday, more buses, mini buses and taxis plied compared to Wednesday. Similarly, more traders kept their shops open. "Bengal industries, except IT, are more or less affected due to the industrial strike," a member of the industry body ASSOCHAM said.
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