Main Rajkot markets closed due to bandh

Rajkot, Jan 13 (UNI) Most of the business establishments, shops and industrial units today remained closed in response to a Congress- backed bandh call given by members of the Lohana community, in protest against the abduction and killing of a leading businessman.

Though stray incidents of stone pelting were reported at Yagnik road and Virani chowk areas, by and large the bandh has been peaceful, police said.

However, educational institutions, banks and state government offices were not affected due to the bandh.

Meanwhile, an enraged mob allegedly torched a State Transport bus at Gondal road and also torched an Amabasador car near Bahumali Bhavan on Race course road, late last night.

Patrolling has been intensified and elaborate bandobast has been made in view of the bandh, police said.

A group of people today submitted a memorandum to the city police commissioner in the back-drop of the deteriorating law and order situation in the commercial captital of Saurashtra. They also submitted a memorandum to the resident deputy collector in this connection.

The Congress here has alleged that in the last few months, crimes like loot, murder and kidnapping have increased considerably and this proves that the city police have failed completely. They also demanded that investigations into the Vijay Kotak abduction and murder case be handed over to the crime branch.

During the last six months, this is the second incident of abduction and murder of a member of the Lohana community. The first victim was one Mr Piyush Thakkar, who was abducted and killed in July last year.

UNI