An opposition strike to protest rising food and fuel prices has disrupted business and transportation across India.
A coalition of 13 opposition parties and their allies called for the dawn-to-dusk strike Tuesday.
The coalition on Tuesday tried to secure a no-confidence vote against Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government on the issue of fuel price increases, but the ruling Congress Party defeated the motion with support from its allies.
The anti-government alliance took its inflation protest to the streets Tuesday, paralyzing some parts of the country.
Officials said communist-run West Bengal was completely shut down. They said the capital, Kolkata, looked deserted, and flights and trains had to be canceled.
In Uttar Pradesh's capital, Lucknow, at least two buses were set on fire by protesters.
Food prices have increased by nearly 20 percent since last year, and annual inflation has hit nearly 10 percent in India.
Paramashish Ghosh Roy, VOA correspondent from Kolkata, has more on this.