Bengal bandh hits life in North Bengal

Siliguri, Jan 8 (UNI) Today's Bengal Bandh to protest the killings in Nandigram, East Midnapore, hit life in major parts of North Bengal comprising six districts.

Barring some two-wheelers, the roads of major parts of Siliguri, the gateway of North Bbengal, were empty and all business establishments remained shut.

However, train services were not affected.

Additional Superintendent of Police, Siliguri, Biswarup Ghosh told UNI that so far 251 bandh supporters were detained for picketing on roads. Picketers from Siliguri, Matigara, Naxalbari, Bagdogra, Pradhan Nagar and Phansidewa were detained.

The bandh also affected tea gardens of this part of Bengal.

Inter-state bus services with Sikkim, Orissa, Bihar, Asom, and to Bhutan and Nepal were suspended.

Barring Toofangunge, the bandh also paralysed life in major parts of Coochbehar district. Reports of clashes also came in from the district in which supporters of SUCI and CPI(M) were injured. At least 28 rival supporters were injured in clashes at Gosanimari and Changrabanda.

UNI