Mixed response to West UP bandh

The 24-hour West UP bandh, called by BJP on Sunday to protest against the arrest of two of its MLAs, evoked a mixed response in the region.

The 24-hour West UP bandh, called by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday to protest against the arrest of two of its MLAs, evoked a mixed response in the region.

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Inspector general of police (law and order) RK Vishwakarma said no untoward incident was reported anywhere from the west UP districts.

However, there was an incident of lathicharge on BJP workers outside Banda jail ( in Bundelkhand) where BJP MLA Suresh Rana is lodged.

The bandh was called after the party MLAs from Sardhana constituency Sangeet Som and from Thana Bhawan constituency Suresh Rana were arrested for allegedly provoking communal tension, while party president Rajnath Singh was forced to call off his trip to the riot-hit district on Saturday.

Around 85% shops and businesses remained closed in Muzaffarnagar on Sunday, however, no tension was witnessed in the area. The response was better in Muzaffarnagar than in Shamli, Meerut, Aligarh or Baghpat where the markets opened after late afternoon.

The bandh had little effect on the Muslim-dominated areas.

The BJP has, however, claimed the bandh was a complete success.

According to unconfirmed sources, BJP activists were strictly instructed against using any force to make the bandh a success.

The administration too remained extra vigilant, and police, RAF and PAC were present in adequate numbers in sensitive pockets.