Congress-sponsored bandh evokes mixed response in West Bengal

KOLKATA: A 12-hr bandh called by the Congress in West Bengal today failed to evoke much response in the metropolis although a shutdown was observed in some districts.

Most of the shops, markets and business establishments were open in the city.

Government buses, trams plied normally although the number of private buses, minibuses and taxis were less.Metro railway also plied normally.

The state government had yesterday announced that all its offices would remain open and employees should report for duty.

The "Governor has decided that absence of employees on that date will be treated as 'dies non' and no salary will be admissible unless such absence is covered by the grounds as mentioned in a memo issued by the department in 2012", a memorandum issued by the state Finance department had said.

Bandh was called in protest against the alleged killing of a student in a West Midnapore college and "terror and violence" by the ruling party.

Congress workers took out rallies in the city since morning to enforce the shutdown.

In Congress stronghold of Murshidabad district, hometown of WBPCC president Adhir Chowdhury, shops and educational institutions remained closed.

Ten Congress supporters were arrested in Berhampore for trying to enforce bandh, police said.

Bandh supporters clashed with the police in front of the district land reforms office. Chowdhury charged that the police was working at the behest of ruling Trinamool Congress.