Punjab bandh call evokes poor response in Ludhiana
The “Punjab bandh” call was given by various Hindu outfits, including Shiv Sena Hindustan, Shiv Sena Punjab and Hindu Takht. Sensing the situation, heavy police force was deployed across Ludhiana.
The Hindu outfits’ call for a “Punjab bandh” to protest against the terror attack on Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir that killed seven pilgrims, evoked response only in the Old City areas on Friday.
The “Punjab bandh” call was given by various Hindu outfits, including Shiv Sena Hindustan, Shiv Sena Punjab and Hindu Takht. Sensing the situation, heavy police force was deployed across Ludhiana.
Even as the bandh’s impact could not be seen in most parts of the city, the police detained 25 members of various Hindu outfits as a preventative measure.
Members of Langar committees, which install community kitchens along the Amarnath Yatra, staged a protest and blocked the national highway. The police pacified the protesters, who lifted the demonstration, allowing traffic to resume.
In Khanna, Jagraon and Samrala, some markets remained closed till afternoon.
Earlier in the day, members of Hindu outfits brandished swords and forcibly tried to close shops in Chaura Bazaar, Clock Tower, Girjaghar Chowk and Division Number 3 area. They also tried to force closure of Pink Market near Chaura Bazaar, but the shopkeepers resisted. Police acted immediately and detained the members.
Additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP) Rattan Singh Brar claimed that the day remained peaceful with no violence being reported across the city, and the 25 people were detained under preventative measures only.
Varun Mehta, Punjab head of Shri Hindu Takht, said the protest was intended to remain peaceful, and they only raised slogans against Pakistan and terrorism.
Chanderkant Chadha of Shiv Sena Hindustan, said they had appealed to the shopkeepers to support the bandh call so that their voice reached the government. “No one was forced to shut the shops and the shopkeepers supported the protest,” he claimed.
Rajiv Tandon, chairman of Shiv Sena Punjab, demanded that the Union government give compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the family of the deceased, and ₹10 lakh to each of the injured. The outfits also demanded the government deal with terrorist groups with an iron hand.