Trinamool Congress's 'Bengal Bandh' affects life

Kolkata, Oct 31 (UNI) A Trinamool Congress sponsored 'Bengal Bandh' largely affected life today.

It follows yesterday's SUCI sponsored 12-hour bandh which, however, failed to evoke any response.

Today's bandh has been called demanding Central intervention in the Nandigram unrest and restoration of the 'rule of law'. It has also been called in protest against corruption in public distribution system, the mysterious death of Rizwanur Rahman and acquisition of Singur land for the small car project, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee said yesterday.

However, in deference to a Supreme Court order banning bandhs, she is calling today's agitation ''immobilising Bengal''.

Reports pouring in from parts of the city and some districts said attempts were being made to target trains across the state.

Trinamool Congress supporters blocked train tracks both in Sealdah and Howrah divisions of Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway.

Reports from Coochbehar and Jalpaiguri said some 250 people were detained for blocking tracks of the Northeast Frontier Railway. A report from Mathabhanga in Jalpaiguri said some ten people were injured in a clash between activists of CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress.

Official sources, however, said though some areas were tense, the overall situation was under control across the state.

UNI