Handcuffed protestors observe shutdown across country (Update: Bandh)

New Delhi/ Jammu and Kashmir/ Uttar Pradesh, Sept 20 (ANI): Protesters observing a nationwide shutdown against the government's decision to raise diesel prices and allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail sector handcuff themselves to mock Centre's autocracy on Thursday.

Train services, public transport and markets across the country remained shut in support of the opposition call for a strike against the government's economic policies.

Protesters in Jammu expressed their anger against the government by burning tyres and blocking roads.

Speaking to reporters here, Arun Sethi, one of the protesters said, "We are striking in Jammu against the hike in the prices of diesel and cap on the number of LPG cylinders per family to six a year and the opening of the retail sector to foreign markets. All the traders and transporters are extending their support. People are voluntarily closing their shops and the whole of Jammu."

Echoing similar views, protesters in Agra paralysed rail movement as they stood on the tracks and condemned the government for its 'anti-people' policy.

"Samajwadi Party (SP) is fully supporting the general strike. We protest the opening of the retail sector to foreign super chains and hike in the prices of diesel. Samajwadi Party is taking part in this strike in wake of the call given by its national leader Mulayam Singh Yadav," Kawal Kumar, one of the protestors, said here.

The handcuffed SP supporters in Varanasi raised slogans against the Central government and carried placards protesting the entry of global chains like Wal-Mart in India.

The supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came out in large numbers in New Delhi to put fresh pressure on the beleaguered government, as they pressed their demand for Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's resignation.

"The Congress-led UPA government is involved in corruption. There is spiralling inflation and the common man will face the brunt of opening the retail sector to foreign super chains. The Congress party has taken upon itself the task to take steps that will add to the misery of the people. The workers of Bharatiya Janata Party and allies have taken to streets to awaken the government, to protect the interest of the traders and people of the country and force Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to resign," said Kuljeet Chahal, a BJP supporter.

Earlier on Tuesday, key UPA ally, the Trinamool Congress, pulled out of the ruling coalition, tipping the government into a minority, as a political firestorm over big-ticket reform measures raged in the world's most populous democracy.

Last week, the government announced a slew of economic measures, including permission for foreign retail chains to operate in India. (ANI)