Title - Bharat bandh' evokes a mixed response in West Bengal

Bandh supporters try to disrupt traffic on Howrah Bridge, other places The nation-wide bandh called by the National Democratic Alliance to protest against the recent hike in petrol prices evoked a mixed response in West Bengal on Thursday amid attempts by bandh supporters to obstruct public transport at certain places in the State.

700 arrested
The police claimed 700 leaders and supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party including 96 from Kolkata were arrested for trying to enforce the bandh.Among them was the BJP's State unit president Rahul Sinha who was arrested from Cooch Behar district in North Bengal.The bandh supporters tried to disrupt traffic on Howrah Bridge, Shyambazar and in the Burrabazar area of the city and in the adjoining suburbs of North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas districts.

 Train disruptions
There were reports of traffic and train disruptions from Bankura, Birbhum and Murshidabad districts. Air services were not affected.BJP supporters squatted on the railway lines on Howrah and Sealdah division of the Eastern Railways leading to disruption in train services. Railway police and in some places passengers removed the blockade.Shops in certain parts of the State were shut and there were fewer numbers of vehicles on road. Those trying to enforce the bandh attacked buses along certain routes in the State and set a few of them on fire.State Transport minister Madan Mitra said that the government will compensate those whose vehicles were attacked during the bandh. He said that the department will also initiate an enquiry to find out in which parts of the State buses did not ply.With the State Government issuing a circular that no government employee will be granted leave during the day, the attendance in government offices was not affected by the bandh.

High attendance at Secretariat
Attendance at the State Secretariat was 91 per cent. State Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh said that the employees who could not report to duty during the day will be show-caused and a day's salary will be deducted if they cannot come up with proper reason.The State leadership of the Left Front led a procession in the heart of the city protesting against the petrol price hike and demanding a rollback. Demonstrations were also held in other parts of the State