Normal life in West Bengal has been hit by the shutdown being observed today by the opposition parties to protest the continuing violence in Nandigram over acquisition of lands for an industrial zone.
Kolkata, Nov 12 : Normal life in West Bengal has been hit by the shutdown being observed today by the opposition parties to protest the continuing violence in Nandigram over acquisition of lands for an industrial zone.
The Trinamool Congress has called an indefinite shutdown, the Congress and the CPI-ML have called for 24-hour shutdown, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is observing a 48-hour shutdown.
The Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) has extended the period of its shutdown call to 48 hours from 24 hours.
According to police, shutdown supporters blocked vehicular traffic and train movement in different parts of the state this morning.
A state bus was reportedly torched near Moulali in central Kolkata. The movement of vehicular traffic were thin.
Incidents of rail blockades were also reported from Baruipur, Nabadwip, Bansberia, Chengail, Bauria, Ramrajatala and Bagnan stations.
Shops, business establishments and educational institutions were closed.
Over 5, 000 police personnel have been deployed at metro stations, bus and truck terminals and other sensitive areas.
The Centre has already sent a battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) (1000 personnel) in the wake of the deteriorating law and order situation.
This is the second shutdown after the state was paralysed by Trinamool Congress' 'halt Bengal' on October 31.
On Sunday, the Forward Bloc, the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) squarely blamed the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) for the continuing violence and killings in Nandigram.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee sat on an indefinite dharna demanding complete restoration of peace in Nandigram.
Social activist Medha Patkar on the same day met Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi at the Raj Bhavan and reportedly apprised the Governor of the present situation in Nandigram.
On Saturday, Mamata, who is backing the Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) - an anti land acquisition front, resigned as Member of Parliament.
ANI