Kolkata, Dec 14 (IANS) Life was paralyzed in West Bengal Thursday as a 24-hour nationwide strike called by Left unions against India's economic policies led to deserted roads, disruptions in train services and cancellations of flights. 

No shop, school or business establishment is open in the state due to the strike that began Wednesday midnight.

The city roads were deserted. No flight could take off or land at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport here since morning, cutting off the state capital from the rest of the world by air.

While Indian (Indian Airlines) cancelled all 22 flights, the private operators did likewise, stranding thousands.

Rail services were disrupted across West Bengal. The metro rail in Kolkata was, however, operational.

Although the IT sector, given the status of a public utility, has not been exempted, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) took a soft approach to this industry. The IT hub at Sector V in Salt Lake was only partially affected.

The industrial areas apart, work in the tea gardens in north Bengal was also crippled.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Prasun Mukherjee said a heavy posse of policemen and Rapid Action Force were deployed in the city to stop protestors from forcefully stopping vehicles or closing down shops.