Kerala: Left Groups Protesting Under Nationwide Strike Vandalise SBI Office In Thiruvananthapuram

Protesters during the nationwide strike called by Trade unions have attacked the SBI treasury branch near Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, reports The Deccan Chronicle.

A group of strikers reportedly damaged computers, phones and a table inside the manager’s cabin, following a scuffle with the officers over continuing bank operations despite strike. The two-day nationwide strike was called by various trade unions demanding salary and pension hike.

Recently, Kerala High Court, taking the notice of major inconveniences caused to general public due to these, had put limitations over 'flash hartals’.

Video footage obtained from the SBI branch show Left labour organisation leaders vandalising the bank. Those identified by the police included NGO Union state committee member and GST department Karamana Commissioner Office inspector, Suresh Babu, and GST deputy commissioner office inspector, Suresh.

The police have reportedly registered a case against 15 people caught on CCTV cameras.

Santosh Karunakaran, the branch manager, has lodged a complaint with the Cantonment police station. He stated that the protesters barged into his cabin and asked if he did not know that today is a protest day. "I told them that although we are open, banking operations were not taking place. Then they threw away the computer and other equipment on my table."