Bandh slows down city, life at fuel stop

Life was completely thrown out of gear in the district due to the nationwide bandh called by the NDA to protest against the hike in fuel prices by the UPA government. Buses remained off roads in most parts of the region and those that did ply, had a very few passengers on board.

Life was completely thrown out of gear in the district due to the nationwide bandh called by the NDA to protest against the hike in fuel prices by the UPA government. Buses remained off roads in most parts of the region and those that did ply, had a very few passengers on board.

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The markets in the holy city and Batala, Pathankot and Gurdaspur wore a deserted look with most shops and business establishments remaining shut. The effect of the bandh was felt even in the smaller towns of Jandiala, Ajnala, Dhariwal, Tarn Taran and a few others places in the region.

Though the government offices remained open, the staff could not reach due to the non-availability of public transport. Banks by and large remained open, but only a few customers walked in. A majority of schools too chose to remain closed due to the bandh.

Effigies of the UPA government were burnt at a number of places and protest marches were taken out by leaders of the ruling Akali Dal and BJP.

Majithia handed over a memorandum to additional deputy commissioner seeking a roll back of petrol prices.

Talking to media later, Majithia said people were already finding it hard to deal with the rising prices of essential commodities, but the UPA government was continuing with its anti-peoples policies. The inability of the government to find a way to ease the burden of the common man will sound the death knell of the UPA government, he added.

The BJP and its Yuva Morcha led by Rajesh Honey also held a protest in the city. The shops by and large remained closed and the bus stand wore a deserted look. A majority of the schools remained closed, but the administrative work at GNDU remained unaffected.