Bharat Bandh

New Delhi: Breaking News! Normal life has come to a stanstill, as the Opposition-sponsored dawn-to-dusk "Bharat Bandh" to protest against the fuel price hike began this morning. Almost all parts of India remain affected by the shutdown.

The BJP and Left lead the complete shutdown. Shiv Sena, Samajwadi Party, JD(U), CPI-M, CPI, Forward Block, RPI, AIADMK, MDMK, TDP, BJD, JD (S), AGP, Akali Dal and INLD are also participating in the strike. The RJD, BSP, LJP and RLD have decided not to join the 'Bharat Bandh' today.

Heavy security arrangements have been made across the country. However, the impact of the bandh is clearly visible everywhere. The July 5 'Bharat Bandh' is a big challenge and warning for the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre.

At least 10 Express trains have been stopped in Patna. All buses and autos stayed off the roads in Bihar. The Bharat Bandh is total in Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Kerala.

No flights are operating to and from Kolkata today. However, flight operations in Delhi, Mumbai and Patna are not affected. No vehicular movement reported from Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Bhopal is worst-affected.

In Delhi, IGI Airport and New Delhi Railway Station are not affected by the bandh call. However, autos and buses are not plying on the road. The Left parties will block the ITO after 11 AM.

Violent incidents were reported from Maharashtra. Shiv Sainiks have gone on a rampage in several parts of the state. At least 15 buses were vandalised in Pune. For the first time in six years, the bandh looked total in Karnataka. Bangalore is worst-affected. All buses and autos stay off the road.

At least 84 flights to and from Mumbai have been cancelled. 100 BJP workers led by Kirit Somaya were arrested for blocking train services in Mumbai. In Uttar Pradesh, train services were affected Lucknow, Varanasi, Allahabad and other parts of the state.

In Orissa, the situation is worse. The ruling BJP, Left and BJP have gone all out to observe the bandh. Trains were stopped in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Rourkela and other parts of the state.

Twin cities Bhubaneswar and Cuttack remain closed because of the strike. No buses and autos are plying on the road. The bandh supporters have also stopped the private vehicles. Coastal and Western Orissa witness a complete shutdown.

All examinations of Utkal University, Berhampur University and BPUT 4th Semester have been cancelled today. The BPUT 4th semester exams will now be held on July 10. The SPO exam has been cancelled in Orissa.