Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 27: A complete bandh was observed in Mendhar town and traffic remained suspended for hours as a large number of PDP workers and supporters of local MLA Sardar Rafiq Hussain Khan held strong protest demonstration against the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Commissioner, Poonch today.
They were protesting against the decision of the State Government and District Administration for not allowing MLA Mendhar to unfurl National flag at the official function and keeping him away from this programme. They alleged that in a single order issued by GAD on January 24 for Mendhar constituency only, where PDP member is MLA, the Government directed the SDM to hoist flag at the official function on behest of local NC leader and Dy Chairman Legislative Council Javed Rana and the Chief Minister.
Entire market remained closed during the day and vehicular traffic suspended for over six hours. The people took out protest rally in the town. They were bearing black badges but some of them were holding National flags in their hands. They burnt the effigy of Chief Minister and demanded transfer of DC Poonch immediately. Then they sat on dharna at main chowk near Bus Stand Mendhar for hours together. Several PDP leaders including Nadeem Khan PDP Youth wing president, Ex-MLC M R Qureshi, Wasim Khan, M A Sagar and D K Tandon addressed the gathering and criticized the Government for its bias and politically motivated approach. They gave 24-hour ultimatum to the Government to shift DC Poonch or face the wrath of the Party workers and people of the area.
Deputy Commissioner, SP Poonch, ASP and AC Revenue later visited the troubled town and held meeting with the officers and some locals in the evening. They appealed the people to maintain peace in the area. The market was opened after 4.30 pm and the traffic also restored.
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