In a powerful show of worker solidarity, central trade unions called a nationwide one-day strike against new labor laws, bringing Jharkhand’s industrial heartlands to a standstill on Thursday. From the coal-rich belts of Dhanbad and Bokaro to the steel hubs of Jamshedpur and Giridih, operations ground to a halt, severely disrupting coal production, banking services, and transportation networks.
Dhanbad, often called the coal capital, saw the most dramatic impact. Mines in key areas remained shuttered as union workers gathered outside, chanting slogans and blocking access. Production and dispatch came to a complete stop, with similar scenes unfolding in Bokaro’s Kathara, Govindpur-Swang, and Jarangdih regions where attendance plummeted. While the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh stayed away, other unions united under a joint front to press their demands.
In Giridih, left-wing activists took to the streets, blocking roads at Gawan, Jamua, and Ghorthanba, causing major traffic snarls. Protesters raised voices against central government policies, demanding a rollback of the controversial labor codes. Tensions flared in Deoghar’s Chitra area, where heated exchanges between strikers and police led to several arrests after arguments escalated.
Jamshedpur wasn’t spared either. Around 800 medical and sales representatives joined the strike, staging a sit-in at the Deputy Commissioner’s office and briefly jamming main roads. Banks across Dhanbad and Bokaro saw minimal activity, leaving customers frustrated over cash withdrawals and other essential services.
Union leaders lambasted the new laws as anti-worker, arguing they erode long-standing rights for organized labor. They warned of escalating actions if demands aren’t met. Meanwhile, the state administration deployed extra forces across districts to maintain order, issuing alerts for heightened vigilance. As the day drew to a close, the strike underscored deep labor unrest brewing across India’s industrial states.