Police Detain Mayor, 40 Others as Bandh Loses Steam

Key Points:

• Nearly 40 Bandh Supporters Detained, Including Mayor Sardar
• Markets, Transport And Offices Function Normally in Adityapur
• SP Manoj Swargiyari Camps in City to Monitor Security

SERAIKELA – A bandh called by the BJP in Adityapur over the murder of a Karni Sena Yuva Morcha leader failed to disrupt normal life on Friday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party had called the shutdown to protest the killing. It sought justice for the party’s district youth wing chief, Himanshu Singh.

BJP leaders and workers took to the streets Friday morning. However, the movement could not sustain itself for long.

Police acted swiftly against the protest and its supporters. Officers detained nearly 40 bandh backers as a precaution.

Among those detained was Adityapur Mayor Sanjay Sardar. Normal life resumed across the city soon afterward.

A few shopkeepers voluntarily kept their establishments closed. However, most shops in the area remained open throughout the day.

Public transport continued operating without any disruption. Meanwhile, government offices and banks also functioned normally.

No incident of violence or vandalism was reported anywhere. Essential services ran smoothly through the day.

Given the sensitivity of the situation, SP Manoj Swargiyari personally camped in Adityapur. He continuously monitored the security arrangements himself.

The new SP took regular updates from officers posted citywide. Additional police force and magistrates were deployed in sensitive areas.

Patrolling also continued without a break through the day. Officers appealed to the public to maintain peace.

“Our priority is public safety and law and order,” the SP said. He added that no one would be allowed to take law into their hands.

The SP also clarified that the murder investigation was proceeding seriously. Continuous efforts are underway to arrest all absconding accused in the case.

Despite the detentions, Mayor Sardar described the bandh as successful. He thanked all the supporters who had joined the shutdown.

Meanwhile, the July 3 bandh call in Jamshedpur was raised over the same case. On the other hand, police elsewhere had also sent two accused to custody this week in a separate arms case.

Besides, Jamshedpur police had earlier conducted raids where suspects were detained across multiple locations. Investigators continue to press ahead with the murder probe into Himanshu Singh’s killing.