In West Bengal, a 12-hour bandh called by the BJP to protest the hike in prices of essential commodities turned violent on Monday with supporters setting afire buses and clashing with police which used batons to quell them. <br/><br/>Train and road services were hit by the bandh. Police said, traffic movement was disrupted as a private bus was torched on the busy road connecting the Kolkata airport. Bandh supporters put up a blockade on that road.<br/><br/>Three other private vehicles were also damaged in the area following which police baton-charged the protesters. At the Howrah Bridge, protesters clashed with police as they tried to stop vehicles by deflating their tyres.<br/><br/>In neighbouring North 24 Parganas, roads have been blocked at Kharda area, while the Gangasagar Express was also held up at Agarpara station.<br/><br/>In Howrah district, 12 city-bound buses were set afire allegedly by bandh supporters.<br/><br/>Train services were also disrupted at Howrah and Sealdah station as protesters squatted on tracks.<br/><br/>Educational institutions and business establishments were forced to close down. Tea gardens in North Bengal as also the 3 sub divisions of Darjeeling are unaffected by the bandh because the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha is not supporting the bandh.<br/><br/>Several express and passenger trains were held up at various places. Howrah-Ranchi Shatabdi Express, Ganadevta Express and Kanchenjunga Express were stopped by bandh supporters.