Shimla, Nov 9 - Colleges across Himachal Pradesh were closed Monday following a one-day strike call by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) youth wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

ABVP's national secretary Umesh Dutt said the education shutdown was being observed in over 150 private and government colleges across the state.

"The call for the shutdown was given following the failure of the government to take action against the deputy commissioner of Mandi," Dutt told IANS.

ABVP activists have been accusing Deputy Commissioner Onkar Sharma for misbehaving with a member of their wing Oct 11 and have been demanding action against him since then. On Saturday, the activists were caned by police when they staged a protest in Mandi at a function where Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal was present.

"The state government is shielding the deputy commissioner. We want action against him," Dutt said.

The ABVP also accused the ruling BJP government of promoting private educational institutions and universities in the state.

Over 100,000 students in 150 colleges have been affected by the shutdown.

Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Pardeep Kumar said: "No incidence of violence has been reported from anywhere in the state so far." (IANS)