Oppn bandh call evokes mixed response
Monday’s bandh called by the Samajwadi Party, Congress and Left parties to protest the deaths of children at the BRD Medical College due to disruption of oxygen supply evoked a mixed response in Gorakhpur.
Most of the shops remained open in Golghar, Townhall, Betiahata and Sarrafa market at Ghantaghar.
While the leaders of the SP and Left parties staged a joint demonstration at the Collectorate, Congress activists observed a silent protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Townhall.
“We have appealed to traders to keep their shops closed today (Monday) as a tribute to children who died for want of oxygen,” said SP’s district unit president Prahlad Yadav.
He said they were holding the protest to force the government to take action against the people responsible for children’s deaths.
Meanwhile, the traders’ leaders said closure of markets was not required at the moment.
“We are not supporting the bandh as it will cause inconvenience to people. To pay tribute to children, traders will take out a candle march,” said Sharat Chand Agrahari, president of sarrafa association of jewellers and bullion traders.
The Gorakhpur police have already warned the protesters against forcing traders to shut their shops and disrupting traffic movement.
On Sunday, police detained five SP leaders who tried to show black flags to chief minister Yogi Adityanath during his visit to BRD Medical College. They were demanding the chief minister’s resignation.
We have appealed to traders to keep their shops closed today as a tribute to children who died for want of oxygen PRAHLAD YADAV, SP dist unit chief