A daylong shutdown called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Thursday against the terror attack at the Ram temple complex in Ayodhya crippled life in Chhattisgarh.

The shutdown was peaceful, barring a few clashes here and in the industrial town of Bhilai between protesters and businessmen, who refused to close shops.

The shutdown was supported by Bajrang Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Shops, cinema halls and petrol pumps remained shut in most parts of the state. But train and flight services remained unaffected.

Police said traders of the Shastri market here clashed with protesters until security personnel intervened.

In Bhilai, 30 km from here, VHP activists injured a trader in Supela area after he refused to close his shop. Angry traders chased away the activists, police said.

Reports said the shutdown was total in Korba, Bilapsur, Jagdalpur, Ambikapur and Jashpur.

VHP state president Ramesh Modi declared the shutdown as a success. He blamed the central and the Uttar Pradesh government for the security lapse at Ayodhya.

Security forces Tuesday shot dead five terrorists as they entered the Ayodhya complex housing the Ram temple built on the ruins of the Babri mosque razed by a Hindu mob in December 1992.