12 hour strike

On 5 July 2010 leaders of India’s political opposition parties staged a 12-hour strike to protest a government hike in fuel prices. Schools and businesses across India were shut down in observance of the strike, and transportation in many parts of the country was severely disrupted. The states of West Bengal, Kerala and Bihar as well as the city of Mumbai, which are strongholds of the political opposition, were the worst affected. The strike effectively shut down the city of Bangalore. In Mumbai, bus and taxi service was non-existent, though the city’s suburban train network continued to operate. Dozens of flights were canceled at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (VABB/BOM), while Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (VECC/CCU) canceled all flights for the duration of the strike. Protesters standing on rail tracks blocked train services in many areas across the country. Reports indicate that police officers in several cities resorted to using water cannons and batons to disperse unruly protesters.