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Bandh cripples life

All vehicles in Bengal went off roads, and shops, markets and business establishments remained closed as part of the 24-hour bandh sponsored by trade unions, including the Indian National Trade Union Congress and the Centre for Indian Trade Unions.

The strike was to protest against the spiralling prices of essential commodities under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

Train services on Eastern Railway's Asansol and Malda divisions were disrupted. Official sources said work in central and state government offices, banks and other financial institutions was severely affected. Educational institutions stayed closed.

The Indian Airlines cancelled all flights to and from Calcutta. The departure and arrival of both suburban and long-distance trains in Howrah and Sealdah divisions were rescheduled.

On Sealdah division, obstructions were made at Canning, Garia, Shantipur, Ranaghat, Gobordanga, Bangaon, Dum Dum Junction, Diamond Harbour and Murshidabad stations. Ten trains, including the down Gour Express, arrived in Sealdah, and five locals left the station, according to an Eastern Railway release.

On Howrah division, obstructions were made at Rampurhat, Tarakeswar, Azimgunj, Porabazar, Haripal, Kamarkundu, Katwa, Samudragarh and Mirzapur-Bankipur stations, the release said.

On Asansol division, obstructions were made at Asansol, Panagarh, Ranigunj, Rajbandh, Rupnarayanpur and Pandaveshwar stations.

Obstruction was also made at Malda station where the up Kamrup Express was detained, the release added.

Meanwhile, while the ruling Left front and the opposition Congress were supporting the bandh, the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies opposed it. They allege that it is yet another attempt to divert the people's attention from the 'real issues' confronting the state.

UNI

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