India, July 9 -- West Bengal witnessed sporadic violence and escalating political tensions on Wednesday as supporters of a nationwide general strike clashed with police and Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers in several districts. The strike, backed by 10 central trade unions, was called to protest against liberalisation, price rise, unemployment, and contractual labour.

Despite heavy police deployment, Left-wing protestors disrupted normal life by blocking roads and railway tracks across the state, leading to chaos in public transport and disruptions in banking services. In Kolkata's Ganguly Bagan, CPI(M) and DYFI workers clashed with police while trying to enforce the shutdown, threatening shopkeepers and burning effigies. The police quic...