A near total bandh observed in Hoshiarpur city

Hoshiarpur, Apr 6 (UNI) A near total bandh was observed in Hoshiarpur city and its adjoining areas today to protest against the toll-plazas installed at Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) road stretches on the Balachaur-Dasuya and Hoshiarpur-Tanda roads.

Normal life was almost paralysed as the city and its adjoining areas remained inaccessible due to a day-long blockade and bandh, call for which was given by the District Sangarsh Committee demanding withdrawl of toll-plazas.

Traffic was blocked throughout the day on all the state highways, including Hoshiarpur-Chandigarh, Hoshiarpur-Phagwara, Hoshiarpur-Tanda, Hoshiarpur-Dasuya and Hoshiarpur-Dharamshala roads and all exit and entry points to the city were blocked by the protesters. They parked tractor-trailors, autorickshaws, trucks, canters and buses across the roads.

Traffic on the Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar Railway section was also paralysed from 1030 hours to 1230 hours as members of District Sangarsh Committee and transporters squatted on the railway track on the Hoshiarpur-Phagwara crossing.

Many roads and streets in the city wore a deserted look. Private cars and two-wheelers were seen moving on the roads occasionally.

All business establishments and shops including Halwais, vegetable and fruit sellers, pan and cigarette shops, tea stalls and restaurants remained closed in the city to support the agitation.

Activists of District Sangarh Committee consisting of private bus, trucks and taxi operators, representatives of various NGOs and Bajrang Dal, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Shiv Sena (Bal Thakre), Rashtriya Vikas Party, in groups took out processions and staged dharnas and demonstrations in different parts of the city. They were demanding lifting of toll-plazas and free movement of vehicles on the BOT roads.

Some stray incidents of stone pelting on opened shops had been reported at the city police station.

The District Police Chief claimed that the law and order situation was under control and the bandh was peaceful.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner D K Tiwari called a meeting of leaders of the District Sangarsh Committee for withdrawing their agitation.

Mr Bharat Bhushan Verma, a spokesman of the District Sangarsh Committee, claimed the sangarsh committee had no compromise with authorities of toll-plazas or the district administration regarding withdrawal of the agitation.

However on the assurance of the Deputy Commissioner that he would get arranged a meeting of the District Sangarh Committee with the Punjab Chief Minister at the earliest in connection with the lifting of the toll-plazas, the office bearers of the committee suspended their agitation for the time being and urged the shopkeepers and business establishments to open their shops and offices in the evening.

He warned that if immediate action was not taken, they would be forced to take harsher measures.

UNI