Jamshedpur, July 3 (IANS) A widespread impact was witnessed across Jamshedpur and adjoining areas on Friday in response to a bandh call by the BJP following the murder of Karni Sena youth Himanshu Singh.
Major markets remained closed, public transport services were disrupted, and most private educational institutions declared a precautionary holiday.
The district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in six police station jurisdictions and stepped up security arrangements.
Shops and commercial establishments in key business hubs, including Sakchi, Bistupur, Jugsalai, Mango and Golmuri, downed shutters as shutdown supporters took to the streets from early morning. Business activity came to a near standstill, with several traders voluntarily supporting the bandh.
During the shutdown, BJP leaders, including MP Bidyut Baran Mahato, MLA Purnima Sahu and MLA Saryu Roy, joined party workers on the streets and appealed for a peaceful bandh.
Transport services were also severely affected. The operation of buses and auto-rickshaws remained largely suspended across the city. In the adjoining industrial belt of Adityapur and Gamharia, bandh supporters reportedly stopped several company buses, due to which many employees could not reach their workplaces on time. However, ambulance services, pharmacies and other essential services were exempted from the shutdown.
The administration imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS in the Sakchi, Bistupur, Sonari, Kadma, Mango and MGM police station areas to maintain law and order. Magistrates and additional police personnel were deployed in sensitive locations.
The bandh was called to protest the murder of Karni Sena youth Himanshu Singh. He was assaulted outside the Double Down Pub and Bar in Bistupur on June 27 and succumbed to his injuries on June 29.
The victim’s supporters have alleged that the assailants dragged him from near a PCR vehicle and attacked him with sharp-edged weapons despite the presence of police personnel.
Following the incident, the Jharkhand government removed the then East Singhbhum Senior Superintendent of Police and the Superintendent of Police of Seraikela-Kharsawan. Four police personnel, including the officer-in-charge of Bistupur police station, have also been suspended, while the Double Down Bar has been sealed.
Police have arrested several accused in the case and are conducting raids in Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha to trace the remaining absconding suspects.
sncskprad
(Written with inputs from IANS)
