Bandh partial in Uttaranchal

Dehra Dun, Mar 8 (UNI) The 12-hour statewide bandh call by Vishwa Hindu Parishad with the support of the BJP and Bajrang Dal against serial blasts in Varanasi evoked a partial response here and in other parts of Uttaranchal.

Members of these groups forcibly closed the shops in the main city areas and burnt the effigy of terrorism at the clock tower.

The shops remained closed only for a few hours and later the city returned to normal with all the business institutions, including petrol pumps, functioning as usual.

Government institutions and schools remained open. High alert has been sounded in the state and security beefed up in sensitive areas.

UNI LPT MA ND1736