Ludhiana, Feb. 13 -- Government bus services in Ludhiana remained severely disrupted for the second consecutive day on Thursday as a statewide strike by contractual workers of Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC crippled operations, leaving thousands of commuters stranded. The protest marked the eleventh such disruption in the past six months.

The strike, called under the banner of the Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC Contract Workers Union, began Wednesday afternoon. The workers are demanding release of their jailed colleagues and regularisation of services.

Although buses driven by regular employees continued to ply, officials said nearly 90% of drivers and conductors in these departments are engaged on a contractual or outsourced basis,...