Price rise: BJP bandh hits normal life in HP

Markets were closed in capital Shimla and streets wore a deserted look. Reports from the districts said markets were closed in all prominent places like Dharamsala, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal's native district of Hamirpur, Kullu, Kangra and Mandi.

The bandh is "total" in the state, Himachal BJP president Jairam Thakur claimed.

Thakur said the people, who are feeling the heat of the rising prices of essential commodities due to "misgovernance" of the Congress-led UPA ministry at the Centre, have come out in support of the bandh.

BJP workers led by local party MLA Suresh Bhardwaj staged a dharna near the office of Deputy Commissioner in Shimla and party workers held street corner meetings.

With the shutters of the shops closed, tourists had a hard time.

Educational institutions, banks and government offices functioned normally, though people faced problems reaching their workplace due to fewer vehicles on the roads.  A report from Una said local BJP workers took out a procession in support of the bandh.