Day-long bandh observed against attack on former health minister

Dehradun, July 18 (UNI) Rudrapur main market wore a deserted look today with shopkeepers bringing down their shutters in protest against the alleged attack on Congress MLA and former Health Minister Tilak Raj Behad.

Congressmen, with the support of business community, called a day- long bandh in Rudrapur in protest against a bid on life of the Congress leader yesterday evening.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Uddhamsingh Nagar P V K Prasad said the bandh was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported.

He said one of the accused arrested yesterday was presented in the Court today and sent to jail. Hunt was on for the remaining accused.

Mr Behad, while speculating the cause behind the attack, mentioned the involvement of transporters in the attack, against whom he had raised questions in the recent Assembly Session.

He told UNI a few transporters from the outskirts were engaged in extortion, drinking and creating nuisance and threatening local public since past three months. Being the area MLA, he had been opposing their activities and had taken the issue to the Assembly.

Mr Behad said he was attacked near Bhamrola in Rudrapur.

Recalling the incident, he said first a car dashed into his car after which the people inside it tried to threaten him pointing their rifles towards him. However, when his gunmen took position, they fled.

Later, one of the attackers was arrested by police and the car was recovered from a field here.

Meanwhile, Congress MLAs and MPs had decided to approach the Governor on July 20 in this regard, said a Congress Spokesperson.

UNI