Bengal shuts down

In one incident, a CSTC bus driver, Shivapada Guha, was severely injured when he was caught in a spree of stone pelting on CR Avenue. Guha was admitted to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. Seven people were arrested in this connection. The IT hub at Salt Lake, too, was affected by the bandh.

According to reports, 1,100 people were arrested across the state as all Opposition parties supported the bandh called by Trinamool Congress. 8220;There was tension in Malda, Uluberia, Jalpiaguri, Barasat and Raiganj,8221; IG Law and Order Raj Kanojia said.

In Jalpaiguri, 288 people were arrested and police had to lob tear gas shells in one instance to disperse a mob of DYFI supporters. According to reports, 13 people were injured in violence in the district, including municipality chairman Mohan Bose, DSP Headquarters Swapan Das, Sub Inspector Tirtha Bhattacharya and IC Biman Sarkar.

Significantly, Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong were also affected by the bandh 8212; the first time a non-hills issue led to deserted streets and downed shutters. All opposition political parties, including ABGL, GNLFC and CPRM, had separately called bandhs, though GNLF took a neutral stand. Work, however, went on at most tea gardens in Dooars and Terai belts.

In Raiganj, five deputy magistrates were injured when a mob of Trinamool supporters allegedly vandalised their office. In North Dinajpur, the district magistrate sustained injuries on way to office and had to be hospitalised. In Siliguri and Malda, too, bandh supporters attacked public vehicles and ransacked state government offices.

Meanwhile, train services at all divisions of Eastern Railway went haywire with many both long-distance trains being cancelled or rescheduled. Passengers were also stranded at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport as no transport facilities were available in the city almost throughout the day.

CBI starts inquiry

CHANDIPUR: Three-member CBI team from New Delhi begins investigations in Nandigram, collecting evidence and talking to residents to ascertain the circumstances that led to police firing in which 14 persons were killed

New SEZs put on hold

KOLKATA: West Bengal Finance Minister Ashim Dasgupta says all new SEZS, not those already in the pipeline, are on hold until a 8220;socially balanced8221; rehabilitation policy was devised at the national level

<>Strike stalls life

KOLKATA: Buses are torched, road and rail traffic disrupted and top district administrative officials and policemen beaten up in the state as life stays paralysed by an opposition-sponsored strike

Advani visit today

NEW DELHI: L K Advani will lead an NDA team to Nandigram on Saturday. Senior leader Sushma Swaraj says the team would also visit hospitals where those injured in the firing are being treated

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