Violence reported on Bharat bandh from Bangalore, UP

New Delhi, May 31: In what can be seen as a coming together of various political parties to express protest over the steep hike in petrol prices, the Bharat

called by the

and the Left parties was anything but low-key. Stray incidents of violence and protests were reported across the country.

Rail traffic was affected in Uttar Pradesh as Samajwadi Party and JD(U) workers blocked the rail routes in Allahabad and Patna. The Saket Express and Ganga Gomti Express have been reportedly stopped in Allahabad. The SP workers are protesting on the railway tracks and shouting slogans.

Trinamool Congress ruled West Bengal also saw unruly incidents by bandh supporters when they blocked the East-West by-pass in Kolkata.

The common man had to bear the brunt of the bandh in Delhi as well when auto rickshaw unions expressed solidarity with the bandh that saw 55,000 autos and 15,000 taxis keeping off the road. The BJP had earlier warned of hampering traffic at around 100 areas across the city.

In IT city Bangalore, miscreants torched 3 BMTC buses bringing the BMTC service to a complete stop. Office goers and others were left stranded in bus stands. A KSRTC bus has also been reportedly set on fire in Hubli.

With all major political parties intending to take leverage out of the NDA’s bandh call, Left parties and NDA allies are expected to organize protests in NDA strongholds like Bihar, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and his supporters will also join the protest.

In Mumbai, a large number of police have been deployed across the city and orders have been given out for preventive detention as well. The Shiv Sena too will show their clout by forcing the bandh on people in their strongholds. The famous dabbawalas of Mumbai will also protest and will not deliver tiffins, thereby stalling their service in protest.

OneIndia News