100 arrested for obstructing rail, roads in Bengal

The nation-wide strike by trade unions evoked a mixed response in West Bengal where over 100 pro-strike supporters were arrested in different districts for obstructing rail and road traffic.

Shops, markets and business establishments were mostly closed in some areas, while state-run buses and trams were plying with fewer passengers.

In some areas of the city, some taxis and private vehicles were plying.

Life was normal in some Trinamool Congress strongholds, including Behala, where shops were open and vehicles plied as usual.

Train services were disrupted in some divisions of Eastern Railways and South Eastern Railways in the morning due to picketing and throwing banana leaves on overhead wire, but were normal as the day advanced.

Eastern railway sources said that seven long-distance trains arrived at Sealdah and Kolkata stations in the morning.

Air services in NSC Bose international airport were normal.

Underground Metro trains plied as usual, officials said.

However, all banks were closed and bandh supporters were seen picketing ATM counters in some bank branches.