Bandh over petrol price hike disrupts life nationwide

The 12-hour bandh called by opposition parties to protest the steep hike in petrol prices today evoked a stronger response than might have been expected, as all the opposition parties, including the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and the Janata Dal (United) in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, not to mention anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare and his team.

TV reports from Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Patna, Allahabad and Varanasi said that rail routes were blocked to stop trains and shops closed following the protest.

According to Times Now, rail traffic was hit as Samajwadi Party and JD (U) workers blocked rail routes in Allahabad and Patna. The Saket Express and Ganga Gomti Express were stopped in Allahabad.

JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav was detained in Bihar while trying to enforce the Bharat bandh. JD(U)'s women's wing also stalled traffic on rail route in Patna.

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also courted arrest in Delhi. He tweeted, "I am arrested, while taking part in protest program against petrol price rise.''