Congress calls 12-hr bandh to protest arrest of party leader

Howrah, Mar 14 (UNI) Life in the district's Millbazar area under Panchla police station was affected due to the Congress-sponsored 12-hour bandh which began at 0600 hrs here today.

The Congress supporters are staging phase-wise agitations throughout the area and have blocked National Highway-6. At least five persons, including Panchla MLA Gulshan Mullick, have been arrested in this connection.

The strike was called by the Congress in protest against the arrest of their party leader and gram pradhan Shaikh Hafijulla last evening. He was arrested in connection with the March 9 violence in the district's Millbazar area, which left at least 20 people injured and about 50 shops and houses vandalised.

Since Sunday, about eight people have been arrested in connection with the violence, while five Congress workers were arrested today for agitating and blocking NH-6.

Most shops, schools and colleges remained closed today, apprehending fresh violence in the area.

However, Rapid Action Forces (RAF) and Eastern Frontier Rifles were still keeping constant vigil on the area.

Meanwhile, Opposition Trinamool Congress supporters are observing a protest day against the administration's alleged failure to tackle the situation.

UNI XC LL AB 1249