Cars burn in the parking lot of an Indian factory on the first day of the 2-day trade union strike in Noida. In addition, factories were stoned when violence broke out in the suburbs of the capital. AFP

Workers participate in a rally in Hyderabad during the two-day strike called by trade unions to oppose the UPA government’s economic policies. AFP

Auto-rickshaw drivers play carrom even as their vehicles stay stationery at an auto stand during the two-day strike in Bhubaneswar. AFP

A security guard sits on a mat in a deserted SBI Bank branch in Allahabad The bandh was called by various trade unions to protest against what they called the anti-labour policies of the government. AFP

With public transport affected by the bandh, a woman waits in front of a pre-paid auto-rickshaw and taxi booth at the New Delhi railway station. AFP

Commuters in Kolkata wait for transport beside parked taxis during the first day of a two-day nationwide strike called by trade unions. AP