Bandh on JIPMER issue peaceful

Puducherry, Sep 26 (UNI) A-dawn-to-dusk bandh, called by the JIPMER Anti-Conversion Action Committee to protest the grant of autonomous status, was near total and passed off peacefully in Puducherry and Karaikal regions today.

Barring stray incidents of stone-pelting and ransacking of shops, the bandh was by and large peaceful here.

Police made elaborate security arrangements even as they arrested as many as 155 persons in Puducherry and 68 in Karaikal for putting up road blockades at different places.

The Opposition parties, which gave the bandh call, said it as a total success and thanked all sections of the people for their cooperation.

However, PMK Parliamentary Party Leader M Ramadass dubbed the bandh a failure and said the people had rejected the bandh call.

Meanwhile, medical services at JIPMER remained affected for the 19th day today as the employees continued their strike despite a warning from the JIPMER director of severe action against the strikers.

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