PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun The Uttarakhand bandh called by various political parties and organisations under the Ankita Nyay Yatra Sainyukt Sangharsh Samiti (ANYSSS) elicited mixed response in the State on Sunday. While the protesters are calling it a success, the Bharatiya Janata Party said that it was a flop as the public was aware of the political motivation behind the shutdown. The bandh was called to demand justice for the victim’s family and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge into the alleged involvement of a VIP in the Bhandari murder case. The impact of the shutdown was more visible in some parts of the mountainous regions, while Dehradun witnessed a mixed response. Considerable police presence prevented the protesters from forcing traders to shut their shops. The Provincial Armed Constabulary was also deployed to ensure that the law and order situation is not disrupted. In Dehradun, political parties and other organisations approached traders asking them to support the bandh especially in prominent markets like the Paltan Bazaar. However, the Doon Udyog Vyapar Mandal, Doon Valley Mahanagar Udyog Vyapar Mandal and some other bodies jointly clarified that the call for the shutdown was not given by them. They stated on Saturday that markets across the State would remain open as usual. Under the banner of the ANYSSS, workers from various political parties and organisations gathered at Gandhi Park in Dehradun. From there, they took out a rally passing through Clock Tower and Paltan Bazaar. During the rally, the organisers appealed to shopkeepers to keep their shops closed, but the appeal had little impact on the markets. President of the Doon Valley Mahanagar Udyog Vyapar Mandal Pankaj Masson said that after the State government has already recommended a CBI probe in the case, there is no justification left for a shutdown. Keeping in mind the daily needs of the general public, traders decided to keep the markets open in the provisional State capital, he added. Meanwhile, district secretary of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Lekhraj said that the recommendation for a CBI probe is merely a hollow announcement. He added that bus and auto drivers, conductors and e-rickshaw unions from Selaqui and Vikasnagar extended their support to the bandh.On the other hand, trader bodies had contacted Dehradun senior superintendent of police Ajai Singh a day earlier seeking security for traders.
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