The nationwide strike called by central trade unions today failed to evoke much response in West Bengal as nearly 270 bandh supporters, including Siliguri mayor Ashok Bhattacharya, were arrested from across the state.
Government and other offices functioned normally.
Transports facilities like state-run and private buses, trams, metro, trains were in service. Most of the shops and markets were also open.
All banks, however, remained closed.
Police personnel were deployed at all important areas throughout the state to maintain peace and normalcy.
Education Minister Partha Chatterjee told reporters here that state secretariat ‘Nabanna’ recorded almost 99 per cent attendance while it was 98 per cent in other government offices.
“The people have rejected the bandh,” he claimed.
He said two buses were damaged by bandh supporters.
Official sources said that nearly 270 bandh supporters were arrested in the state. Those arrested included Siliguri Mayor Ashok Bhattacharya and Jibesh Sarkar, convenor of Darjeeling district left front.
TMC leader and Minister Bratya Basu offered rose flowers to the people on the road thanking them for foiling the strike.
Barring few minor scuffles at some areas, there was no major incident of violence during the strike, police said.
Chatterjee said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is trying to bring back work culture in the state and bandh should not be called.
The Chief Minister who left for a week-long visit to Italy and Germany in a statement from Dubai congratulated the people foiling the bandh.
From Agencies, Feature image courtesy ndtvimg
