Kolkata: The 12-hour Bengal bandh called by the Nationalist Trinamool Congress (NTC) to demand withdrawal of the State Government's move to set up pre-litigation conciliation board and against the price rice, hike in the prices of diesel and petrol by the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government at the Centre and CPM (Communist Party of India-Marxist) "repression" on NTC party workers began this morning (August 2, 2004).

South Eastern Railway sources said train services in the SER section were affected due to squatting in railway tracks and stations by the bandh supporters.

Eastern Railway sources said the bandh supporters tried to stop movement of trains by squatting in the tracks but police immediately removed them.

The police sources said the situation in the State was peaceful till now and there was no reports of any incidents.

A few Government and private buses were seen plying in the streets of Kolkata.

Meanwhile, the Progressive Taximen Association has called 36-hour bandh from last night.