Ludhiana, Jan. 26 -- Accusing the state government of stifling dissent and criminalising workers' protests, contractual employees of Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC have announced a complete statewide bus strike on February 12, preceded by a shutdown of bus stands across Punjab on February 11. The decision was taken at a union meeting held in Ludhiana on Sunday.

The agitation, being spearheaded by the Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC Contract Workers' Union (25/11), has been triggered by the continued incarceration of 12 union leaders, who have remained in jail for nearly two months despite what the workers describe as repeated assurances from the government that they would be released.

Union leaders said their colleagues have spent ar...