Guwahati: The 24-hour nationwide chakka bandh (wheel jam), called by the coordination committee of road transport workers, affected normal life in the state on Tuesday.

A large number of people were unable to reach schools, colleges and offices because of the unavailability of buses and cabs.

A majority of the schools in the state had declared a holiday while classes in colleges were curtailed because of poor attendance, resulting from the transport strike.

Political science professor at Handique Girls' College, Archana Sarma, said, "Less than 10 per cent of the students attended college on Tuesday and we had to suspend the classes. Most of the teachers managed to reach the college but the students had a hard time as no city buses were plying. The strike caused great inconvenience."

Commercial vehicles were also kept off the roads across the state. Only city buses, operated by the state-run Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), plied in the city and people crowded into them.

The nationwide 24-hour transport strike was supported by the All India Road Transport Federation, Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union, Sadou Asom Motor Sramik Jutia Parishad, North East Heavy Goods Carrier Truck Owners and Drivers Welfare Association. The All Assam Cab Operators Union and Sadou Asom Sanjukta Motor Sramik Union also extended their support.

The strike was called in support of a 10-point charter of demand, which includes scrapping of the amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act, 2017, pension, financial support for the workers' children's education, imposition of GST on petroleum products among others.

All Assam Cab Operators Union president Ismail Ali said the strike was successful but 5 per cent of Uber and Ola cabs were plying.

Dinesh Kalita, a private bus owner said commercial vehicle owners did not support the strike as one such strike was held last month and caused inconvenience to the general public. He, however, agreed with the demands of the transport workers.

Arrested: Goalpara police arrested at least four persons for trying to obstruct road communication along the State Highway 46 in Goalpara district of lower Assam. The arrested agitators were identified as Sabibur Rahman, Jahirul Islam, Mukunda Medhi and Pinush Kr. Hajong.

Additional reporting by Sofikul Ahmed in Goalpara