(2 of 2)
Though the government claimed that no more than 8% of the work force responded to Fernandes' call, militiamen had to be mobilized to man emergency rail services. In Bombay, at least, the strike appeared far more effective than the government claimed. The 1,278 suburban trains that normally carry almost 3 million passengers daily were idle, keeping almost 50% of the city's workers away from their jobs. In many areas, even where minimal train service has been maintained, food prices have jumped 40% to 50% as housewives hoarded such staples as rice and cooking oil in fear that the strike would eventually paralyze the country.
* Behind the U.S., the Soviet Union and Canada.