Banking operations massively hit in Bengal

Banking operations were massively hit on Friday across West Bengal on day one of the two-day nationwide strike called by the employee unions to press for early settlement of wage revision.

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine unions in the banking sectorm had given the strike call for January 31 and February 1.

"The strike is 100 per cent successful in Bengal. We have received reports from the city and also all the districts. Everywhere the strike was total. ATMs also were mostly shut. There were no reports of any breach of peace," Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) state Secretary Joydeb Dasgupta told IANS.

All nationalised, private and foreign banks in the city and the districts remained shut, stalling cash operations, cheque clearances and other banking services.

Bank customers were heavily inconveniences as the strikers ensured most of the ATMs rolled down their shutters.

The strikers picketed before the closed branches and also held gate meetings explaining their stand.IANS