BJP terms chakka jam successful

Shimla, Aug 1 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh unit of the BJP today claimed that its one-day ''chakka jam'' against the rising prices of essential commodities was a success, saying people over whelmingly supported the party's action over the issue.

Even after arresting over 100 BJP activists, including party president Suresh Bhardwaj, at about 1215 hrs, the party's two-hour chakka jam at Victory Tunnel in the town ended after two hours due to over whelming support from the public, party sources said here.

The sources said it had decided to stop traffic for two hours only so as not to provide any inconvenience to the general public, but threatened to intensify the agitation unless the state government reversed the anti-people policies being pursued by it.

A report from Hamirpur district said former chief minister P K Dhumal led the party in blocking traffic for two hours at Touni Devi in the district.

Speaking on the occasion, he said while the prices of essential commodities were sky rocketing beyond the reach of the common man, the state government was in a deep slumber.

Besides the law and order situation had gone from bad to worse ever since the Congress government came to power in the state, he said, adding that when the MLAs were not feeling safe, the fate of other people could well be understood.

Accusing Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh of shielding the corrupt, he said while innocent were being implicated in false cases, the corrupt were roaming scot-free.

Mr Dhumal justified the party's decision to hold chakka jams across the state, saying it had become necessary due to the rising prices of essential commodities.

The BJP activists also blocked traffic at Mataur on the Shimla-Dharamshala National Highway in protest against the government's failure to check the prices of essential commodities and corruption.

Former transport minister Vidya Sagar later addressed the party leaders before dispersing after a two-hour chakka jam.

Reports of BJP activists blocking traffic at Una, Mandi, Bilaspur, Kullu have also been received and official sources said no violence has been reported from anywhere in the state.

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