Indian national strike against policies disrupts transport and schools
Thursday 20 September 2012
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EmailAngry opposition supporters disrupted trains in India today in a national strike to protest against a government fuel subsidy cut and a policy opening the country's retail market to foreign companies.
Some burned an effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the tracks, while others carried signs reading: "Go Back WalMart," a reference to the US retail giant that is expected to enter the Indian market under the new regulations.
Political backlash against the reforms presented last week has left Mr Singh's coalition scrambling to prevent early elections after the government announced a reduction in subsidies for diesel fuel and cooking gas.
It also opened up the country's retail sector to foreign chains, allowed local airlines to sell stakes to foreign carriers and pledged to sell off chunks of four state-run companies.
Some government allies have joined opposition parties in throwing their support behind the protests, which closed many schools and kept commercial lorries off the roads.
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