A bandh called by NDA, Left parties and the SP to protest against diesel price hike, FDI in multi-brand retail and cap on subsidised LPG on Thursday evoked mixed response as protesters disrupted road and rail traffic in parts of UP, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha but it had little impact in Mumbai.In Delhi, most of the markets remained closed but vehicular movement was normal though protesters blocked traffic at some places.
Shops in some areas like Bhogal, Laxmi Nagar, Defence Colony and South Extension in the capital were open in the morning hours but big markets like Khan Market, Connaught Place, Greater Kailash, Karol Bagh, Chandni Chowk and Kashmere Gate were shut.
Auto rickshaws plied in the city and buses of state-run Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) were on the roads in large numbers. At New Delhi railway station, auto drivers staged a protest and refused to carry passengers.
However, most of the private schools in Delhi remained closed.
BJP supporters blocked vehicular movement on Vikas Marg. A BJP spokesperson said the party will be staging protests at around 100 locations in the national capital.
A senior Delhi Police official said a large number of personnel have been deployed. "We have ensured that every major road has police presence," he said.
Uttar Pradesh
Samajwadi Party and BJP workers staged demonstrations and stopped trains at a number of places in Uttar Pradesh. Protestors stopped trains in Mathura, Agra, Varanasi, Allahabad and Lucknow while BJP workers and traders blocked the Agra-Gwalior Highway by burning tyres.
Major markets remained closed at a number of places in UP, including in the state capital Lucknow.
Raising slogans against FDI in retail, a group of SP workers held a demonstration outside the Walmart store at Sultanpur in Lucknow. The party also protested outside Divisional Railway Manager's office in Hazratganj.
Mumbai
The bandh evoked little response in Mumbai owing to Ganesh festivities across Maharashtra. Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have kept away from the day-long bandh due to the festival.
Manipur
Life was affected in Manipur due to the 12-hour general strike called to protest diesel price hike, FDI in multi-brand retail and ceiling on subsidised LPG.
Markets, business establishments, educational institutions and entertainment houses remained closed while attendance in government offices was almost nil, reports said.
Buses, taxis and private vehicles were off the roads as also transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states, the reports said.
The strike also affected normal life at all district headquarters.
Security measures were in place at all vulnerable areas in the state capital complex.
Karnataka
The nation-wide bandh has affected normal life in Karnataka.
Shops and offices chose to remain shut and only essential commodities like milk and medical services are available. All schools and colleges were closed.
Vidhan Souda, the Secretariat of Karnataka, wore a deserted look. However, Karnataka High Court and lower courts are functioning.
Buses owned by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation were off the road.
Those who arrived by trains were stranded in the railway station. There were reports of some autorickshaw drivers fleecing commuters.
Electronic City, where many IT and BT companies are situated, also wore a deserted look. The IT companies have deployed Central Security Force personnel to man important infrastructure on their campuses.
In Mysore, BJP workers stopped a Kannada film shooting in which Kannada actor Ramya, who recently joined Congress, was acting, police said.
The bandh also affected normal life in cities like Mandya, Davanagere, Hubli-Dharwad, Shimoga, Tumkur and Mangalore.
The bandh also received good response in Gadag and Bidar districts.
