The Bharatiya Janata Party-Vishwa Hindu Parishad sponsored bandh against the Varanasi blasts, which claimed at least 20 lives, evoked mixed response in Uttar Pradesh Wednesday with most of the markets remaining closed though petrol pumps, medicine shops and restaurants did normal business.

• 2 blasts rock Varanasi; 20 dead

Barring an incident of violence in Bahraich, where 10 people were injured, the bandh passed off peacefully amid tight security.

In Varanasi, normal life was paralysed with markets wearing a deserted look as shops and other business establishments remained closed.

Vehicular traffic in Varanasi was thin with people not venturing out on the roads apprehending law and order problems.

Schools, colleges and other educational institutions were closed following an order from the district administration in view of the bandh. Academic institutions would remain closed till further orders, official sources said.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in Varanasi.

Earlier on Wednesday, members of BJP, Shiv Sena and others staged a demonstration in some places shouting slogans against the Mulayam Singh Yadav government. They also burnt effigies of the chief minister.

Some protestors also showed black flags to Yadav and burnt a Pakistani flag, alleging that the country supported terrorists.