Bharat Bandh on 8 January: The 24-hour shutdown began at 6 am.

Rail and road traffic was hit in several states, including Bengal, Odisha and Andhra, as a nationwide strike by ten trade unions began this morning against what they have called "anti-labour policies of the government, along with other issues".

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions is among the ten trade unions that have called for countrywide protests. Nine other trade unions, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC, are also part of the strike, according to CITU.

In Bengal, train tracks were blocked by protesters in Howrah and Kanchrapara in North 24 Parganas district. The Left has accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of doublespeak after the state government said it would not support the strike. In Odisha, the strike affected road and rail traffic in Talcher, Bhubaneswar, Brahmapur, Bhadrak and Kendujhargarh.

The government on Tuesday had warned central trade unions of "consequences" against the nationwide strike. "Any employee going on strike in any form would face the consequences which, besides deduction of wages, may also include appropriate disciplinary action," an order issued by the Ministry of Personnel said today. In its order the ministry said government servants were prohibited from participating in strikes or protests.

Here are the live updates on Bharat Bandh strike:

Jan 08, 2020 15:33 (IST) Bharat Bandh 2020: Clashes In Malda

Bandh supporters and police clashed at kaliachak in Malda this afternoon when police tried to remove a road blockade on National Highway 34 that links Kolkata to Guwahati. Police had to use rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd which allegedly pelted them with stones.

Jan 08, 2020 11:29 (IST) Bharat Bandh 2020: Normal Life Affected In Tripura Amid Shutdown Call

In Tripura, local markets are shut, normal life has been affected amid shutdown call.

Jan 08, 2020 10:57 (IST) Bharat Bandh: Chennai Police Detains Protesters

Chennai Police today detained protesters who were a part of the nationwide strike by trade unions. The ruling AIADMK is not supporting the Bandh call, while the opposition DMK supports the Bandh.

Jan 08, 2020 10:39 (IST) Protests In Chennai Against Bharat Bandh

#BharatBandh | Protest underway at Mount Road in Tamil Nadu's Chennai against "anti-labour policies of the government".

(📸ANI)



Follow live: https://t.co/hlayegFWi5pic.twitter.com/w9P33Ej0he - NDTV (@ndtv) January 8, 2020

Jan 08, 2020 10:38 (IST) This morning, several trains were stopped in Bengal when crude bombs were found on train tracks.

Jan 08, 2020 10:37 (IST) Assam Government's Notice Amid Bharat Bandh Protest

The state government in Assam has issued order to all districts heads, department heads to ensure normal functioning amid nationwide strike.



Jan 08, 2020 10:35 (IST) Bharat Bandh 2020: Maharashtra Government Supports Strike Call

The Uddhav Thackeray government supports today's Bharat Bandh call by various trade unions, state minister Ashok Chavan said today.



Jan 08, 2020 10:04 (IST) Bharat Bandh 2020: Sena Extends Support To Strike Call

The Shiv Sena today extended its support to trade unions'' ''Bharat Bandh'' call and slammed the central government for its policies and decisions. In its mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena said that during the "first regime of BJP government, the industry and labour class was badly affected due to its decisions like demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST), news agency ANI reported.

The editorial stated that people expected that things will improve, but "six months have passed since the present government was formed and neither industries nor the condition of the labourers improved".

Jan 08, 2020 10:02 (IST) Bharat Bandh 2020: Rahul Gandhi Supports Protests, Tweets Against Modi Government

The Modi-Shah Govt's anti people, anti labour policies have created catastrophic unemployment & are weakening our PSUs to justify their sale to Modi's crony capitalist friends.



Today, over 25 crore 🇮🇳workers have called for #BharatBandh2020 in protest.



I salute them. - Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 8, 2020

Jan 08, 2020 08:46 (IST) Siliguri: A North Bengal State Transport Corporation(NBSTC) bus driver wears a helmet in wake of protests during #BharatBandh called by ten trade unions against 'anti-worker policies of Central Govt' #WestBengalpic.twitter.com/ZCbe7uRq4m - ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2020