National

VHP bandh call evokes mixed response

NEW DELHI, NOV. 22. Barring some stray incidents in Gujarat, the 24-hour Vishwa Hindu Parishad's Bharat bandh called to protest against the arrest of the Kanchi Sankaracharya, Sri Jayendra Saraswati, failed to evoke much response today. — UNI

Our Ahmedabad Special Correspondent reports:

The bandh evoked a partial response in the BJP and Vishwa Hindu Parishad stronghold of Gujarat.

Barring towns such as Unjha in north Gujarat and Amreli in the Saurashtra region, there was little response to the bandh call. However, VHP and Bajrang Dal activists forced shops and business establishments to close in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot and other urban centres in the State.

The Ahmedabad municipal transport service stopped plying buses in the afternoon after one bus was set ablaze in Meghaninagar locality and a few other buses were stoned in different parts of the city.

At least two state transport buses running on city service routes were set ablaze in Vadodara while a couple of buses were stoned in Surat. A bank branch was also stoned in Ahmedabad.

Our Bhopal Staff Correspondent reports:

In Madhya Pradesh, the bandh affected normal life. There were sporadic incidents in Indore, where the Pandrinath police station was encircled by a mob and the police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. There was heavy stone throwing and the Inspector-General's car was targeted. A journalist was also attacked in Indore.

While essential services were partially affected in Bhopal, schools, shops and most other private establishments remained closed.

Our Bhubaneswar Staff Reporter reports:

Many trains were delayed in Orissa and road traffic was affected with the both government and private buses remaining off the road. Business establishments, schools and colleges remained closed in most parts of the State, including Bhubaneswar.

The bandh supporters squatted on rail tracks at many points delaying a number of trains, including the Rajdhani Express.

Our Ranchi Correspondent reports:

Barring sporadic incidents, the bandh called by the VHP ended peacefully in Jharkhand.

Police said 445 persons were arrested during the bandh with 240 persons held in Jamshedpur district alone. Trains ran normally in the State though vehicular traffic was affected.

Our Dehra Dun

Staff Correspondent reports:

The bandh evoked a near total response in Uttaranchal today.

Most markets, petrol pumps, cinema halls and educational institutions remained closed. Traffic was normal.

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