Life in some towns was paralysed. These included Arwal, Aurangabad, Jehanabad and Gaya.

However, Additional Director General of Police Neelmani said there was no report of any untoward incident in the state.

As a precaution, vigilance was maintained on railway platforms, bus stands and other public places.

'The strike has had no effect in the state (Chhattisgarh). In the interior of Bastar too buses are plying,' Inspector General of Police T.J. Longkumer told IANS on telephone.

Officials said security was increased in the 40,000 sq km Maoist bastion of Bastar.

Life was partially affected in the Maoist strongholds of West Bengal. Some shops and commercial establishments were closed in the western districts of Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore. Fewer vehicles plied on the road.

A senior police officer said the shutdown had no impact.

'There's been no report of any violence,' Surajit Kar Purakayastha, state inspector general (Law and Order), told IANS.

The strike call was given to protest the arrest of Anil Kumar, a CPI-Maoist politburo member, and Kartik, a central committee member.