Agartala, Dec. 17 : A dawn-to-dusk strike in Tripura, called by the Congress supported Youth Congress and Seva Dal demanding arrest of two Leftist Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Sahid Choudhury and Partha Das during a protest rally, paralyzed normal life in the Left-ruled state Wednesday.

Most markets, shops and business establishments remained closed in this northeastern state while roads wore a deserted look.

However, some banks, government and semi-government offices and educational institutions remain open but presence of people was scanty. Rail and air traffic to and from Tripura was also disrupted.

Youth Congress supporters with Seva Dal picketers at different point of capital Agartala brought out rallies in support of the bandh but were stopped by the heavy security personnel arranged for the day.

The shutdown against is against government failure to arrest MLA Sahid Choudhury who helped HuJi activist Mamun Mian and also for the cancellation MLAship of Partha Das, moreover, we demand CBI to find the what about in the Sahid-Mamun case'' said Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) member Tapas Dey.

Dey, a former MLA, alleged that Left purposefully allow cross-border terrorism for arms which are later used by cadres of CPM and targeting innocent Congress workers.

The state government, in a notification asking the employees to join their duties, said: ''Any violation of government instructions would be viewed seriously.''

Congress picketers organised rallies and protests before government offices here to stop staff from entering office premises.

Birjit Sinha, former TPCC President and present MLA said, Sahid Choudhury had to but resign from his ministership by we demand CBI inquiry and we also demand MLA Partha Das to resign as he has produced fake Schedule Cast certificate.

Windshield of few buses and auto rickshaws were broken by angry picketers when they were trying to ply with office staff but there has been no report of any serious injury.

Hundreds of office goers could not go to office, as they did not get any vehicle at the bus terminus.

Tapan Sutradhar, a teacher said, "I had to go to office for some urgent works but could not as there is no vehicle here. I think the bandh is a total but there is no justification behind such bandh."

Elaborate security arrangements were made across the state to prevent any untoward incident and police arrested over a 5000 protestors from various parts of the state, however, the strike is peaceful so far and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the state. (ANI)