The much-hyped 12-hour bandh called by the SUCI today turned into a damp squib with normalcy prevailing throughout the day.

The bandh was not supported by SUCI’s election partner, Trinamool Congress, which once again showed that political might remained with the latter. The administration and police, meanwhile, maintained tight security throughout the day.

“There were no major untoward incidents during the bandh. Throughout the state 250 people were arrested as they tried to impose the bandh. Buses, taxis and other vehicles plied normally,” said Chief Secretary Asok Mohan Chakrabarti.

Provash Ghosh, state secretary of SUCI, however, claimed: “There was a normal response to the bandh and a majority of the people supported us. Shops and business establishments at a number of places were closed and many people stayed indoors. Our protest against price rise and the government’s failure to control it will continue.”

A senior Trinamool leader, meanwhile, said: “Their support base is concentrated in some pockets. It is not spread throughout Bengal like ours. This once again showed that our allies are dependent on us to some extent.”

SUCI activists and supporters organised rallies at Tollygunge crossing, Hazra crossing, Shyambazar five-point crossing, Sealdah and some other major busy areas.

Rail services hit
Train services were, however, disrupted due to obstructions put up by the bandh supporters at different railway stations since early today. While most of the trains were detained, a few had to be cancelled.

Train services in both Sealdah and Howrah divisions of Eastern Railway (ER) and South Eastern Railway remained affected. Bandh supporters obstructed railway stations and cut off power supply by throwing banana leaves and cutting rods of the overhead wires.