Hindu activists block national highways, link roads in HP

Shimla, Aug 13 (UNI) Hindu organisations protesting over the Amarnath land revocation issue, blocked traffic on national highways and busy link roads in Himachal Pradesh during the office-going hours this morning, causing incovenience to a large number of commuters.

In Shimla town, the road was closed from 0900 hrs to 1100 hrs at Victory Tunnel by the protesters, led by BJP state president Jai Ram Thakur and BJP spokesman, Ganesh Dutt.

People on way to offices and schools were the worst-affected by the jam.

Despite heavy rains, activists disrupted traffic on Pathankot-Mandi and Dharamshala-Delhi National highways in Kangra district. VHP workers also blocked Kangra-Shimla National Highway at Dehra sub-division in the district.

VHP activists assembled in large numbers at Gurkhari Chowk connecting Pathankot-Mandi and Dharamshala-Delhi highway for two hours due to which tourists and pilgrims were remained stranded.

Slogan-shouting Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists blocked the road on NH-21 in industrial Town of Baddi.

Reports received from Una said traffic was blocked on Chandigarh-Dharamshala National highway for one hour.

Despite heavy rains, VHP-BJP activists successfully imposed the traffic blockade in parts of Mandi, Chamba and Nahan districts.

The police sources say the traffic blockades passed off peacefully in the state.

UNI XC JN SP BST1843