Ranchi, Feb 13, : The Bharatiya Janata Party shutdown call given on Friday to protest police baton charge on its leaders affected the normal life in Jharkhand.

BJP workers took out protest rallies in many parts of the State.

Over 300 party workers, including Ranchi legislator C. P. Singh, were arrested when they were trying to enforce the shutdown.

Shops and other establishments remained closed in the city and across the State.

The activists also threatened to stage a massive road blockade and agitation if their demands were not met.

"A shutdown is being observed not only in Ranchi, but in the entire State. People around the State have supported us. Despite that police tried to stop us forcibly and even baton charged us," BJP activist Gabha Singh said.

Jharkhand is presently under the President rule after the Chief Minister Shibu Soren resigned from his post, plunging the state into political instability.

The BJP is demanding fresh polls to be conducted in the State.

Many BJP workers, including senior leader Yashwant Sinha and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda were injured on Thursday in a police baton charge in order to break open security ring around the Governor's residence here. (ANI)