DEHRADUN, Oct. 2, 2022 (TBINN)
State-wide bandh called in connection with the Ankita Bhandari Murder Case evoked mixed response today.
Reportedly, many shops in the main market remained shut while several other establishments remained open for business as usual. Some shop-owners who opened their business in the morning downed their shutters when bandh supporters descended on the streets shouting slogans and asked them to shut shops in solidarity.
It is not a political fight. It is a fight to ensure the safety of our daughters. So, everyone should support the bandh, a woman protester said.
Bandh was near total in Bhandari’s home district Pauri, where almost all the shops remained closed and traffic remained thin.
Market areas in Kotdwar, Srinagar and Pauri also wore a deserted look. Jeeps and taxis meant for local commutation went completely off the roads in the border district of Chamoli. Only roadways buses and the ones engaged for transporting pilgrims to Badrinath and Kedarnath were seen plying.
Besides suspension of vehicular traffic, commercial establishments also remained closed in Pindar Valley of Chamoli District.
It is to be reminded here that Ankita Bhandari, who worked as receptionist at a resort in Yamkeshwar Block of Pauri District, was killed allegedly by its owner Pulkit Arya, manager Saurabh Bhaskar and assistant manager Ankit Gupta when she resisted their attempts forcing her to offer extra services to a V.I.P. guest.
Central president of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, Kashi Singh Airi said the manner in which the probe is being conducted suggests that the police are under pressure to protect influential people. Bandh supporters accused Special Investigation Team probing the case of not disclosing the identity of the V.I.P. guest, for whom, Ankita Bhandari was pressurized to offer extra services. A C.B.I. probe is necessary to bring out the truth, Airi opined.
In view of the bandh security remained tight with heavy deployment of police in main market areas. The bandh received support of nearly 40 political and social organisations, including the Congress, C.P.I., C.P.I. (M.L.) and Rajya Andolankari Sanyukt Samiti.
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