Bhubaneswar, Aug 25 : The 12-hour shutdown called by Vishwa Hindu Parishad affected normal life in Orissa, but, remained by and large peaceful.

Enforcing the statewide shutdown in protest against the killing of VHP leader Swami Lakshmanananda and four of his disciples, activists of the VHP, the Bajrang Dal and other Hindu outfits took to the streets blocking all national and state highways in almost all parts of the state since morning bringing vehicular traffic to a halt.

Train services were paralysed completely with protesters squatting on rail tracks. All schools and colleges in the state remained closed as per the Government orders.

Gunning down of the 85-year old VHP leader also rocked the State Assembly which was adjourned for an hour today as members of coalition partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stormed the well demanding immediate arrest of the guilty.

Earlier in the day, the State Secretariat and the Assembly remained virtually inaccessible even for the government employees. The Ministers and legislators had a tough time in reaching the Assembly to take part in the proceedings of the ongoing monsoon session.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for communally sensitive districts. Over ten companies of CRPF and equal number of Orissa Armed Police have been deployed in Kandhamal district. (ANI)