Steel City observes bandh over installation of Sunil Mahto's statue

Jamshedpur, May 12 (UNI) A dawn-to-dusk Jamshedpur bandh, called by the BJP with the support of the Congress and the other allies, today evoked spontaneous response in and around the steel city.

The bandh was called to protest the transfer of three officials, including East Singhbhum district deputy commissioner Nitin Madan Kulkarni and Dhalbhum subdivisional officer Ranjan Chowdhury, over the installation of a statue of slain JMM MP Sunil Mahto at a disputed spot at Ganesh Puja Maidan here on May 9 violating prohibitory order under Section 144 Cr PC.

The JMM supporters, led by Jamshedpur MP and widow of the slain leader Suman Mahto along with a host of JMM leaders, made an abortive attempt to install the bust, but the police team, led by the officer-in-charge (OC) of Kadma police station, stopped the agitating leaders and supporters and arrested them. The OC was later suspended.

In retaliation, the JMM, the main ally of the ruling Madhu Koda government in the state, allegedly used the government machinery to transfer Mr Kulkarni and Mr Chowdhury.

Today's bandh, was total as all markets in Bistupur, Sakchi and other areas remained closed.

Vehicular traffic, including private and long distance buses and auto rickshaws did not ply on the road.

The BJP supporters, led by its leader Dineshanand Goswami, came out on the streets and raised slogans against the Madhu Koda-led UPA government for supporting the 'illegal' acts of the JMM and transferred the officials, who were discharging their duties in accordance to the law.

Barring some sporadic violence of ransacking vehicles in some places the bandh was by and large peaceful, official sources said.

UNI BDG KK JT HT1927