Bandh affects normal life in Jammu, other towns

Avtar Bhat

JAMMU, May 31: The nationwide bandh called by NDA and other political parties to protest against the hike in petrol prices evoked a total response in Jammu region throwing the normal life out of gear as all markets wore a deserted look and public transport remained off the roads today.
The attendance in the offices was thin while the educational institutions remained closed, as there was a spontaneous public response to the bandh call.
In Jammu, shops and business establishments in and around the city remained closed amid protests from BJP, CPI (M), Shiv Senas, Jammu Kashmir Democratic Front (JKDF), Socialist Democratic Party (SDP) and other organizations. But the bandh remained totally peaceful as no untoward incident was reported from anywhere.
The BJP, led by Rajya Sabha MP, J P Nadda, and Avinash Rai Khanna took out a protest march in the city against the hike in fuel prices raising slogans against the Congress-led UPA Government. They demanded immediate roll back of hike in petrol prices.
The BJP and BJYM activists also held demonstrations at Purani Mandi, Maheshpora Chowk, Talab Tillo, Tali More, Kachi Chawni and Muthi. The protestors also torched the effigies of UPA Government at various places.
Talking to reporters later, Mr Nadda said history is witness that whenever there was a non Congress Government at Centre the prices were in control and whenever the Congress came to power the prices touched sky.
Nadda alleged that the Congress-led UPA was working in an anti-democratic fashion and had no respect for the institutions of this country.
“It is very sad that the Parliament is being insulted. The budget session of 2012 is sine-die on May 22 and on the evening of May 23, this anti democratic Government led by UPA raised the prices of petrol, knowing that people are already reeling under the serious inflation,” Nadda pointed.
Earlier, BJP State president Shamsher Singh Manhas carried out a protest rally in the city riding on a horse-cart.
Manhas said if the fuel prices continued to increase like this, the day is not far when people will have to depend upon cycles and other traditional modes of transport.
A protest rally was also taken out by CPI (M) from Press Club here to Indira Chowk against unprecedented hike in petrol prices, which they said will have cascading effect on other consumer items. The rally was led by Sham Kesar, regional secretary CPI (M). The Party alleged that UPA has raised the prices of petroleum products at record 18 times since 2009.
The protestors also expressed concern over the yesterday’s Chenani incident and demanded protection of workers rights.
The activists of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Front (JKDF) led by its president Anil Gupta (Annu) held a sit in dharna at Dogra Chowk here and observed a fast in protest against the price hike. The protestors raising slogans against the UPA Government whose wrong policies were responsible for unprecedented price hike in the country, said that price hike has broken the back of common man and his survival has now become totally difficult.
Shiv Sena Bala Sahib Thakaray and Dogra Front activists led by Ashok Gupta, president Shiv Sena took out a scooter rally in the city and burnt a scooter to register their protest against the hike in prices of petrol. Addressing the protestors at City Chowk Ashok Gupta demanded that the State Government on the pattern of Goa and Delhi Governments should abolish the VAT on petrol.
The activists of Socialist Democratic Party (SDP) led by its general secretary Ajay Kumar Sharma held a demonstration at Canal road in protest against the price hike. The another demonstration was held at Baribrahmana by the activists of the organization. They also torched the effigies of the UPA Government.
Rashtrawadi Shiv Sena held a demonstration at Raghuanth Ji Mandir Chowk. Led by Kuldeep Luthra and Vipin Hindu raised slogans against UPA Government and accused it of its failure in containing the prices of petrol.
Hindustan Shiv Sena (HSS) staged a demonstration at Karan Market, here. The demonstration was led by Dimpy Kohli president of the organization and its general secretary, G I Singh. The protestors raising slogans against the price hike demanded abolishing of VAT on petrol.
The activists of Jammu West Assembly Movement also held demonstrations at different places and took out a protest rally against the price hike. Addressing the rally president of the Movement Sunil Dimple said the UPA has been exposed for its anti people and anti poor policies.
The bandh also had its effect of the other districts of the region with BJP protestors burning the effigy of UPA Government in Kathua, however, the traffic movement on the National Highway remained unaffected.
Total bandh was observed at Udhampur where the BJP activists led by district president Dina Nath Bhagat, party vice president, Pawan Gupta and other leaders took out a motor cycle rally in the town in protest against the price hike.
The bandh evoked a total response in Kishtwar, Hiranagar, Kathua, Samba and Reasi towns and BJP activists staged protest demonstrations against the price hike while the partial bandh was observed in Rajouri town. At Reasi BJP activists also torched effigies of UPA Government
Reports coming from Srinagar said that CPI (M) workers held a protest rally at Srinagar in support of Bharat bandh against the hike in petrol prices. The protestors who assembled at Partab Park were not allowed by Police to move towards Divisional Commissioner’s Office, which forced them to stage demonstration at Partab Park. Addressing the demonstrators CPI (M) State secretary, M Y Tarigami criticized the UPA Government and said that its wrong policies have already worsened the economic condition of the people. He termed the petrol price hike yet another blow on the livelihood of common man who was already reeling under high inflation and price hike.
Total bandh was observed in Leh while it was partial in Kargil district.