The day-long bandh in Jammu over the apparent shifting of AIIMS from here to Kashmir Valley as well as the state's new recruitment policy continued today with reports of sporadic clashes between the people and police.
The shops remained closed and traffic was off the roads in the city following the bandh called by Jammu Chambers of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), and supported by various political, social, transport and trade organisations.
There was no response from BJP and the Mufti Sayeed government over the issue.
"Business establishments and shops remained closed in the city and traffic was off the roads due to the bandh," a police official said adding that by and large it was peaceful without no untoward incident reported from anywhere.
The bandh also affected the attendance in government offices and educational institutes.
It saw a chain of anti-government demonstrations, rallies and burning of effigies by Congress, National Conference, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers party (JKNPP), VHP, Bajrang Dal, transport organisations and student unions over the issue of AIIMS and the state's new recruitment policy.
An anti-government rally by the State Congress General Secretary Vikram Malhotra and Youth Congress state Chief Pranav Salgotra was stopped by the police near bus stand resulting in brief clashes.
"It is our democratic right to hold protest, but the police resorted to unprovoked lathi charge on us," General secretary of Pradesh congress committee Vikram Malhotra said.
"We demand the state government to immediately grant AIIMS to Jammu. People of Jammu who voted for BJP have been deceived by them," Congress spokesman Ravinder Sharma said.
JCCI President A Gupta and Congress State Vice President Sham Lal Sharma registered their protest by taking out a vehicle rally.
"We question BJP for its criminal silence and indifferent attitude over the issue of AIIMS in Jammu," Sharma said.
"This government is discriminating with the people of Jammu region and we will not tolerate this, there needs to be equitable development in the region," a National Conference leader said.
JKNPP leader Harsh Dev Singh said, "We are not against setting up of AIIMS in Kashmir but it should not be at the cost of Jammu."
Protests were also held by activists of state unit of Bajrang Dal who accused the government of playing with the sentiments of people.
"BJP-PDP government has discriminated with the Jammu region. We will continue to agitate so that our right of AIIMS is restored to Jammu," Bajrang Dal Convener Rakesh Kumar said.
