Shutdown evokes mixed response in Jammu

A day-long shutdown called by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the National Panthers Party for abolition of toll tax and the deportation of Rohingya Muslims today received mixed response from people.

Peaceful protests were held at several places in Jammu.

Shops in some areas, including the old city, remained shut, while those that were opened had to be closed after 'bandh' supporters visited the areas seeking support for the shutdown.

Transport services, hospitals, banks and educational institutions were largely unaffected by the shutdown, though some schools and colleges were shut as a precaution.

The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) had called the shutdown in support of their various demands, including the abolition of toll tax charged by the state government at Lakhanpur, and for the deportation of Rohingya Muslims residing in the region.
 

The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) had called the strike against the "failure" of the BJP, a coalition partner in the state government, in addressing the issues faced by the people in the region.

NPP activists staged a protest at the Dogra Chowk in central Jammu, burnt tyres and raised slogans in support of their demands.

JKNPP chairman and former minister Hash Dev Singh said the BJP was indulging in "double-standards and duplicity" over the issues of deportation of Rohingya Muslims and Article 35 A leading to public resentment against the saffron party.

Bandh supporters also protested at on the Jammu- Panthankote highway, officials said, but added that it did not affect the movement of traffic on the highway.

"There was no bandh related violence reported from anywhere," Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, Sunil Gupta told PTI.

He said they were monitoring the situation.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) said the shutdown was a demonstration of resentment against the BJP for its failure to deliver the promises made to the people. JKPCC chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma claimed the bandh had attracted tremendous response.