Bharat Bandh: Opposition-ruled states bear the brunt

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported on Monday during a Congress-led Opposition sponsored “Bharat Bandh” against spiralling fuel prices that disrupted normal life mainly in Bihar, Kerala, Karnataka, Assam and Odisha. In states like Kerala, Karnataka, Bihar, Odisha and Arunachal Pradesh life was hit by the shutdown, but Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Mizoram remained largely unaffected. 

The Left observed a 12-hour strike in Kerala and West Bengal instead of the 9 am to 3 pm shutdown called by the Congress and other parties.  Bihar witnessed widespread arson, vandalism and disruption of rail and road traffic. Burning tyres were placed on railway tracks in the old Patna city area disrupting movement of trains. 

Protesters targeted buses, including some school vehicles, and disrupted rail traffic at some places in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, officials said. At some places, petrol pumps were also targeted.  Schools, colleges and shopping establishments remained closed at a number of places in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat, officials added.  In Odisha, train services were disrupted at many places as Congress workers blocked railway tracks to enforce the bandh. At least 10 trains were cancelled.