Bharat bandh: Trade union strike paralyses life in Kannur, Kasaragod districts of Kerala

Trade union strike disrupts normal life in Kannur and Kasaragod, Kerala, protesting against government policies impacting workers and farmers.

A 24-hour nationwide strike called by a joint platform of 10 Central trade union brought normal life to a near halt in Kannur and Kasaragod districts of Kerala on Thursday (February 12, 2026).

In Kannur, trade unions organised a protest march to the railway station as part of the strike against what they termed “anti-worker labour codes, anti-people and anti-farmer policies of the Centre” and measures allegedly weakening the employment guarantee scheme. Union leaders addressed workers during the march and warned that even private vehicles venturing onto roads would be stopped.

In Kannur, the CITU and INTUC observed the strike separately. INTUC stayed away from a joint protest following a KPCC directive against coordinated action in the backdrop of the Assembly elections. While Secretariat action council and Kerala Private State Teachers Association did not joint the strike, the NGO Association participated.

In Kasaragod, the strike was total, with transport and trade coming to a standstill. No buses operated on the Kerala-Karnataka routes, and KSRTC services were suspended. Government and private schools, and government offices remained closed. Shop in towns and rural areas were shut, barring a few medical stores.

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Auto and taxi workers stayed off the roads in solidarity and only a handful of private vehicles were seen. Railway stations reported sparse passenger presence. Despite the scale of the shutdown, no incidents of vehicle obstruction or violence were reported in the district.