Shops, Market remains closed in North Dinajpur district in response to 12 hour trade bandh

All shops and markets were closed Thursday at Islampur in North Dinajpur district in response to a 12-hour trade bandh call by a merchant's body, the police said. The shutdown was total as shops and markets were closed and even roadside vendors were not seen in the town.

Other activities were, however, normal. The bandh, which began at 6 am, is peaceful, the police said. Damodar Agarwal, secretary to the Islampur Merchants Association, thanked the traders for making the bandh successful.

The Islampur Merchants Association called the bandh protesting attacks on some shops allegedly by Trinamool Congress supporters during BJP-sponsored 12-hour 'Bangla Bandh' Wednesday.

The TMC denied the charge. The BJP had called the bandh to protest against the killing of two students during a clash with the police on September 20 over recruitment of Urdu and Sanskrit teachers at Daribhita High School at Islampur.