Left sponsored 12-hr bandh against fuel price rise on in WB, Kerala, Tripura

The CPI (M) has called for a 12-hour bandh in Left ruled states of West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura on Thursday to protest against the hike in the prices of petroleum products.

The CPI (M) has called for a 12-hour bandh in Left ruled states of West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura on Thursday to protest against the hike in the prices of petroleum products. The CPI on its part has announced a total shutdown in Kolkata. The bandh is near total in West Bengal, with Kolkata being the most affected. While in Kerala, the bandh is not as effective, with vehicles plying and trains running on schedule. In Kolkata shops, markets and educational institutions remained closed. City streets wore a deserted look due to the bandh coupled with a light drizzle this morning.
 
Kolkata and its adjoining neighbourhood wore a deserted look since morning as the 12-hour state sponsored general strike took off the block. The bandh is so far peaceful in and around Kolkata IGP (law and order) Raj Kanojia said.Train and air services were also affected. Bandh supporters squatted on railway tracks in different parts of the state, Kanojia said.

Various airlines suspended their operations of outgoing flights from Kolkata during the 12-hour bandh period. Till 7 am, 23 flights belonging to various airlines left Kolkata for their destinations in different parts of the country, airport sources said.

Air India`s flight to Kathmandu was cancelled. Air India sources said they would operate combined flights from here to all metro cities in the country after the bandh ends in the evening.

Jet Airways said its flights would operate to and from Kolkata in the evening. To control overcrowding at lounges in the airport, entry of visitors has been banned during the bandh period.

Left Front chairman Biman Bose said the centre has forced the decision to call the bandh on the Left.

The bandh will be preceded by a state-wide protest and rallies this evening. Mr Bose said that he had discussed with the leaders of the Left Front constituents before arriving at a decision in this regard. Terming the price hike "anti-people", he said it would further increase prices of essential commodities and push the inflation to 10 per cent as it would have a cascading effect raising the transportation cost.

He said that the Left parties all over the country, to oppose the latest hike in the prices of petroleum products had called different forms of protests.

Trinamool Congress also called a 12-hour bandh tomorrow on the same issue and dared the cpi(m) to withdraw support from the Congress-led UPA government.

The bandh has affected work in the industrial belts of Durgapur and Asansol in Burdwan district and Haldia in Purba Midnapore district, official sources said.

Besides Trinamool congress and Bjp have called for a 12-hour bandh tomorrow to protest against the petro price hike.

Meanwhile, incessant rains since early morning has caused water logging in several parts of central and north Kolkata.

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