Long distance and local train services were disrupted, state transport buses stoned and most private and government offices closed Wednesday during the daylong shutdown for a separate state of Vidarbha, to be carved out of Maharashtra.

Policemen were out in strength in Nagpur and other major towns of the 11 districts where the shutdown called by 68 political parties and groups such as Vidarbha Nirman Sangram Samiti (VNSS) evoked a spontaneous and enthusiastic response, the organisers said.