Gujarat 'bandh' evokes mixed response

Ahmedabad, Jul 21 (UNI) The Gujarat Bandh' call, given by the Jagega Gujarat Sangharsh Samiti (JGSS), to protest against the government's failure to order a CBI inquiry into the death of two young inmates at the Ashram of spiritual Guru Asaram Bapu on July 5, today evoked mixed response in major parts of the state.

In Ahmedabad, small shops and establishments kept their shutters down, while government offices, banks, corporate houses and others functioned normally. However, as a precautionary measure the city-based educational institutions observed complete closure.

Similarly, transport services of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) were running on a low frequency, as buses are the softest targets. Meanwhile, some angry students and youth attacked three buses of AMC, by pelting stones and damaged them partially.

Impact of the bandh was largely visible in minority dominated old walled city, with even very small shop-owners also keeping their shutters down.

Meanwhile, over 5,000 police personnel have been deployed in the city to maintain law and order.

Police and jawans of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) have intensified their patrolling in all the major parts of the city, to prevent any untoward incidents. The security inside the Ashram and surrounding locality have been tightened to protect the lives and properties of the Ashram inmates and nearby residents.

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