Congress-sponsored Bengal bandh fails to evoke much response

The Bengal bandh called by the Congress on Tuesday failed to evoke much response in the state except in some districts where the party has strong presence even as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the shutdown and said it is destroying the work culture.

Most of the shops, markets and business establishments in the metropolis were open during the 12-hour bandh called by the Congress to protest the alleged killing of a student in Sabang college in West Midnapore district and “terror and violence” by the ruling Trinamool Congress.

Police said around 300 Congress supporters were arrested in the state for trying to enforce the bandh. Government buses, trams plied normally although the number of private buses, minibuses and taxis were less. Metro Railway services were also normal. Train services of the Eastern Railway were almost normal except a few blockades organised in Sealdah and Howrah divisions by bandh supporters. South Eastern Railway train services were also near normal, railway sources here said. 

The state government had on Monday announced that all its offices would remain open and employees should report for duty. Criticising the shutdown, CM Mamata Banerjee said that it destroyed work culture as none gained from it. In the Congress stronghold of Murshidabad district, and in Baharampore <g data-gr-id="19">home town</g> of WBPCC president Adhir Chowdhury, shops and educational institutions remained closed.