Raipur: The nationwide bandh call given by VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) today (Nov 22, 2004) to protest Kanchi Shankaracharya's arrest was total in Chhattisgarh.

The bandh in the three divisions of the State--Raipur, Bilaspur and Bastar--was total and all the business establishments, including petrol pumps and cinema halls, were closed and public transport vehicles were off the road, official sources told in Raipur.

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The Government offices and schools were closed today due to a local festival and the VHP and Bajrang Dal workers forced the Christian and convent schools to remain close, they said.

Even banks in the capital city were not open and security forces have been deployed in front of them, sources added.

Though some transport unions and VHP sources claimed that about 20 buses were partially damaged by the protestors but State police control room sources told that there were no complaints of forced bandh or violence in any part of the State so far.