West Bengal bandh affects normal life

Normal life across West Bengal was paralysed as Left parties, providing outside support to the UPA government, enforced a 12-hour statewide bandh from 6 am on Thursday to protest against fuel price hike.

The bandh affected traffic movement as almost all vehicles went off the roads. Shops, markets and educational institutions remained closed.

City streets wore a deserted look due to the bandh coupled with a light drizzle this morning.

The bandh is so far peaceful, IGP (law and order) Raj Kanojia told PTI.

Train and air services were also affected.

Bandh supporters squatted on railway tracks in different parts of the state, Kanojia said.

Various airlines suspended their operations of outgoing flights from Kolkata during the 12-hour bandh period today.

Till 7 am, 23 flights belonging to various airlines left Kolkata for their destinations in different parts of the country, airport sources said.

Air India's flight to Kathmandu was cancelled.

Air India sources said they would operate combined flights from here to all metro cities in the country after the bandh ends in the evening.

Jet Airways said its flights would operate to and from Kolkata in the evening.

To control overcrowding at lounges in the airport, entry of visitors has been banned during the bandh period.

Left Front Chairman Biman Bose said the Centre has forced the decision to call the bandh on the Left.

Trinamool Congress also called a 12-hour bandh tomorrow on the same issue and dared the CPI(M) to withdraw support from the Congress-led UPA government.