JMM support boosts protest; some disruptions amid normal functioning
Jamshedpur witnessed varied participation in the Bharat Bandh called by Bhim Sena and other organizations over SC-ST reservation issues.
JAMSHEDPUR – The nationwide Bharat Bandh over SC-ST reservation received a mixed response in Jamshedpur, with some disruptions amid largely normal city functioning.
Bandh supporters took to the streets, urging public participation and forcibly closing shops in some areas.
Key entry and exit points of the city faced blockades, disrupting traffic flow on NH 33 at Dimna Chowk and Kandrabeda Road.
NH 18 in Baharagora was completely blocked, halting vehicles from West Bengal and Odisha.
Essential services like hospitals and medical stores operated unhindered during the protest.
Schools remained open, though attendance was lower than usual due to safety concerns.
Several major markets and businesses in Jamshedpur continued to function normally despite the bandh call.
Train services from Tatanagar railway station departed on schedule, with increased security measures in place.
"We took all precautions to tackle bandh supporters, but no one turned up at the railway station," stated a Tatanagar station official.
Public transportation, including auto-rickshaws and buses, operated on regular routes but in reduced numbers.
The Jharkhand Bus Owners Association reported a 40-50% drop in ticket sales for various destinations.
"The turnout of passengers for various destinations including Ranchi was less today. People avoided travelling because of the bandh call," explained a senior functionary of the association.
Pool car operators refrained from ferrying school children as a precautionary measure.
Sunny Singh, a van operator at Sakchi, said, "We decided not to ferry school children as we did not want to take risks. We had communicated this to our parents yesterday."
Police deployment was intensified at strategic locations to prevent untoward incidents.
Highway patrolling was strengthened, with Jharkhand Armed Police personnel patrolling a 12 km stretch of NH-33 between Dimna Chowk and Barabanki.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)’s support added momentum to the protest movement in the region.
