Mixed response to VHP bandh call

Shimla, Jul 3 (UNI) The one day bandh call by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to protest against the decision of Jammu and Kashmir Government to cancel allotment of land to Amarnath Shrine Board evoked mixed response across Himachal Pradesh with maximum impact in urban areas.

The bandh was supported by BJP, Beopar Mandal and several other organisations. All shops, businesses and commercial established remained closed in the urban areas of the state, while shops remained opened in the rural areas.

In Shimla, the VHP workers spread out in various parts of the town from early morning hours and ensured that all shops were closed. The bandh was complete and even the, vegetable, milk, fruit, cigarette and tea shops and dhabas were not open and the people were put to great inconvenience.

The truckers strike further added to the woes of people as supplies, especially the milk and vegetable did not reach the town and were in short supply.

The VHP activists patrolled various parts of the town on cars and made announcements about the bandh through public address system.

Reports of bandh were also received from other parts of the state and official sources said there was no untoward incident from anywhere in the state.

The VHP leaders have described the decision to cancellation of land allotment to Amarnath Shrine Board as "communal" and demanded resignation of Gulam Nabi Azad Government in Jammu and Kashmir.

UNI AS PS MMS1947