People hold protests, transport remains off the roads
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Aug 26: Peaceful protests held at different places marked the near total Jammu bandh today, the call which was given by Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI) and supported by other organizations demanding removal of Sarore Toll Plaza and against the installation of pre-paid smart meters.
All the markets in Jammu city and outskirts wore a deserted look as there was spontaneous public response to bandh call. The bandh disrupted the normal life as transport was also off the roads voluntarily despite the fact that transporters had not extended support to today’s bandh. As the transport was off the roads, the attendance in Government and public sector offices was also thin.
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However, some of the districts, tehsils and towns either didn’t observe bandh or the strike there was partial.
The authorities had made elaborate security arrangements all over to avert any untoward incident and the big columns of para military forces and police were deployed in the city and other areas. However, the bandh passed peacefully. The bandh supporters held demonstrations and took out peaceful rallies in city and other areas of the Jammu region demanding abolition of Sarore Toll Plaza, release of arrested Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) leaders and uninstallation of pre paid smart meters.
The protestors with banners and placards in their hands were raising slogans in support of their demands and against the administration’s “anti people and anti Jammu” policies. They warned that the people will not allow atrocities to be committed on them come what may.
All the shops and other business establishments in city markets including historical Raghunath Bazar, Purani Mandi, Kanak Mandi, Link Road, Residency Road, Gurdwara Sunder Singh Road, Kachi Chawni, Parade, Lakhdata Bazar, Pacca Danga, Jain Bazar, Ambphalla, Jewel Chowk, Canal Road, Talab Tillo, Bohri, Janipur, Bakshi Nagar, Subash Nagar, Shakti Nagar, Rajpora, Bantalab, Gandhi Nagar, Trikuta Nagar, Nanak Nagar, Gangyal, Digiana, Kunjwani By Pass, Transport Nagar and Chhani downed their shutters in response to the bandh call.
Near total bandh was also observed in R S Pura, Akhnoor, Kathua and Hiranagar and Bari Brahmana towns in response to Chamber call while partial bandh was observed in Udhampur town. However, the bandh failed to evoke response in Reasi, Rajouri, Poonch, Ramban, Doda , Kishtwar, Bhaderwah and other towns.
The markets and other business establishments also remained open in Samba, Vijaypur, and Ghagwal towns.
The protestors and supporters of the bandh took out rallies and held demonstrations at different places in Jammu region in support of their demands and urged the Government to concede them without further delay.
A massive rally was taken out by Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the city in which besides the traders the people from all walks of life participated. The protestors while raising slogans in support of their demands stressed on immediate abolition of TP at Sarore, putting a halt on installation of pre paid smart meters and immediate release of arrested leaders.
The rally was led by president of Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI), Arun Gupta, who while addressing, the rally expressed his deep concern and anger over the rigid attitude of authorities over the genuine issues and demands of Jammuites.
He said Chamber believes in open dialogue with all stakeholders but in view of the adamant approach of UT administration, Chamber after discussion with different associations and in consultation with J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu announced one day bandh to press the Government to understand the gravity of the situation.
Jammu Bar Association led by its president, Vikram Sharma held a massive protest at Janipur road and also disrupted movement of vehicular traffic in support of the demands of Jammu people including abolition of Toll Plaza at Sarore, immediate halt on installation of smart meters and property tax besides releasing of all arrested activists of YRS.
Congress held a massive protest at main road, Chhani Himmat in support of Jammu bandh and urged the Government to settle the pressing demands of the people without any delay. The protest was led by senior party leader and former Minister, Yogesh Sawhney who strongly crticised the BJP for implementing exploitive policies in Jammu and imposing unnecessary financial burden on the people.
Another protest was held by the party at Canal Road Jammu which was led by its secretary and president Canal Road Shopkeepers Association, Narinder Gupta. The party also held a strong protest at Sunderbani in Rajouri district.
National Conference (NC) held a protest demonstration in support of today’s bandh at Residency Road here which was led by provincial president of the party, Rattan Lal Gupta.
Another protest was led by senior party leader, Bimla Luthra in which a large number of party activists including women workers participated.
Expressing anguish over the collection fo the toll and installation of smart meters a protest rally was taken out by YRS activists in Jammu at 4th Tawi Bridge. The protest was led by Bhanu Partap Goria along with Partap Singh Jamwal. A massive protest was held at Bantalab by the activists of various organizations in support of the demands of YRS.
Apni Party also held a peaceful protest at Ramgarh which was led by party provincial president, Manjit Singh in which a large number of party activists took part.
Irate activists of the YRS held a massive protest at Akhnoor and blocked the Nirdosh Chowk. Shouting slogans the activists of the YRS demanded abolition of TP at Sarore and release of arrested leaders of their organisation.
Former Minister and senior Congress leader, Dr Manohar Lal led a protest at Billawar in Kathua district and demanded early release of arrested leaders.
In support of the YRS, a protest demonstration was held by Congress at Jakhani Chowk, Udhampur which was led by senior party leader Sumeet Magotra.
Another massive protest was held in the town by Panthers Party led by former Minister, Harsh Dev Singh. The protestors with banners and placards in their hands were raising slogans against anti people policies of Government and held BJP responsible for the plight of the people of Jammu.
Massive protest was held at Reasi in support of Jammu bandh today where the irate people blocked road and demanded immediate solution of the genuine demands.
A massive rally was also taken by the activists of various organizations in R S Pura in support of Jammu bandh and demands of YRS.
The protests were held in Samba where the chain hunger strike of the YRS activists and prominent people continued today also.
In Kathua, people held a massive demonstration at Shaheedi Chowk while the twin towns of Kathua and Hiranagar observed a near total bandh. Moreover, the hunger strike started by three activists of Yuva Rajput Sabha continued today in the town.
A protest was held by all parties activists who demanded immediate release of arrested youth, abolition of TP at Sarore and halt on installation of Smart meters.
Meanwhile senior BJP leader and former Minister, Rajiv Jasrotia has also demanded release of arrested YRS activists.
Caption: The historic and otherwise busy
Raghunath Bazar, wearing a deserted look as Jammu observes bandh on Saturday.
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