TN 'Dawn to Dusk bandh' throws normal life out of gear

Chennai, Mar 31 (UNI) Normal life in Tamil Nadu came to a standstill today in view of the dawn-to-dusk bandh called by the ruling DMK-led DPA to protest against the Supreme Court stay on 27 per cent OBC quota.

The 12- hour Bandh, which began at 0600 hrs, was peaceful with no untoward incident being reported from any part of the state, Tamil Nadu DGP D Mukherjee said.

The bandh was total as the state government had declared a holiday today under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

Reports from diffrent parts of the state said the bandh was total and there were no untoward incidents.

Bus and train service were disrupted as the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) and inter-state buses were off the roads. Southern Railway had also cancelled and rescheduled several trains.

Several incoming trains were detained at various stations and passengers were given food packets.

Airport sources said though flight operations were on, some airliners have either delayed or rescheduled their flights.The Indian airlines had already announced rescheduling of its flights in view of the bandh.

Shopkeepers downed their shutters, schools and colleges, theatres, liquor shops, business, commercial and industrial establishments and banks remained closed.

All major shops, hotels and restaurants were closed in the city.

UNI