Bandh evokes mixed response
PEACEFUL PROTEST No impact of bandh in Tijara and Tapukada; schools and markets remained closed in most parts of state theysay
Bharat Bandh, called by Congress, evoked a mixed response in state. However, in Tijara and Tapukada in Alwar it had no impact. In other parts of the state, schools and markets remained closed on Monday.
Special director general of police (Law and Order) NRK Reddy said, “No untoward incidents were reported from any part of the state except Gangapur town in Bhilwara district, where some party workers forced traders to close shops. The matter was settled within a few minutes. Otherwise, the bandh was largely peaceful and no arrests were made.”
In Ajmer, all main markets remained closed. “In the last four and half years, the central government has looted the people of the country by increasing, excise and other taxes on petrol and diesel between 200 and 400 per cent,” said Ajmer MP Raghu Sharma. The Congress leader pedalled a rickshaw as a mark of protest.
Sharma said the bandh was complete, peaceful and successful in Ajmer. Traders extended complete support to the Congress’s call by keeping their business establishments closed, Sharma said. “We thank the market associations for their support,” he added.
Meanwhile, the police remained on high alert and made elaborate security arrangements for any kind of law and order emergency.
In Kota, most of the markets, petrol pumps, private schools and colleges remained closed. Petrol pumps remained closed from 9 am to 1 pm and the Bhamashah Grain Mandi was closed for half a day. Auto unions also supported the bandh to protest the rising petroleum prices. Teams of Congressmen moved on bikes to ensure that the bandh was a success.
“When the price of petrol is low in the international market, why is the central government selling petroleum products at a high price,” Kota city district Congress president Ravindra Tyagi.
The effect of the bandh was visible in Jodhpur. The main market of the city was closed in the morning, but shops in many places were open. In some places, Congress workers staged protests outside petrol pumps.
In Alwar, around 20% of shops were closed in the Bhiwadi Industrial area.
Alwar superintendent of police Rajendra Singh said no untoward incident was reported from any part of the district. Congress workers, led by district Congress committee president Tika Ram Jully, gathered at Hope Circus in the morning before the workers marched through the main market of the city, requesting shop owners to close their establishments in support of the bandh.
At Bhagat Singh Circles and Jay complex, shopkeepers and Congress workers had arguments but police presence made sure it did not escalate into a law and order issue.
Later, Congress workers and leaders sat on a dharna in front of a petrol pump near the bus stand. Former central minister Jitendra Singh, Alwar MP Dr KS Yadav and other prominent leaders of the party were present at the sit-in until 3 pm.
JAIPUR:The The government is making efforts to reduce the fuel prices by reducing tax. Expenditure is being made in thousands of crores on flood relief all around (the country) for which money is required. Public has supported the bandh and we are getting a good response from all cities and towns. The state government has reduced only four per cent VAT on diesel and petrol which is insufficient The decision (to reduce VAT) will benefit people, including farmers, women, students and government employees... Today, a drama is going on in the country but there is no impact...