The 12-hour strike called by the BJP in north Bengal on Friday in protest against the death of a youth at Kaliaganj on Wednesday night hampered life in North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur districts.

The shutdown had zero impact on Kalimpong district and the hilly areas of Darjeeling district.

Bandh supporters vandalised vehicles at various locations, prompting police to use force to disperse them.

BJP leaders, including MLAs, hit the streets, along with supporters. They raised blockades on roads and railway tracks, which disrupted traffic.

A policeman lathi-charges a bandh supporter on Hill Cart Road in Siliguri on Friday. Passang Yolmo

In North Dinajpur, Raiganj and Kaliaganj towns were deserted as shops were closed and private vehicles were off the roads. The situation was the same in South Dinajpur. No major incident of violence was reported in the two districts as the police patrolled different locations.

Schools, banks, and private establishments were closed while government offices were open.

In Siliguri, BJP supporters led by MLAs Shankar Ghosh and Anandamoy Barman demonstrated on Hill Cart Road. Protests were also witnessed on Siliguri's outskirts like Bagdogra and Fulbari.

Bandh supporters vandalised two buses at Dakshin Khagrabari and Chakir More areas in Cooch Behar in the morning. Later, another private bus was attacked.

Crude bombs were allegedly burst at Bhetaguri, on the outskirts of Cooch Behar town, where local MP Nisith Pramanik resides.