Singur, June 30: Work on the Tata Motors small-car plant here came to a standstill today during a 12-hour bandh called by the CPM to protest against Suhrid Dutta’s arrest.

None of the 6,000 daily labourers reported for duty as over 500 members of Citu and the party’s peasant wing stood guard at the site since morning.

Shops and educational institutions, too, remained closed. Some shopkeepers alleged that CPM supporters had threatened them “with dire consequences” if they did not down shutters.

Over 200 Citu members blocked Durgapur Expressway for over two hours, demanding Suhrid’s immediate release.