Shutdown evokes lukewarm response in Jammu

A shutdown callgiven by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) and the National Panthers Party (NPP) today evoked a lukewarm response among people in the winter capital.

While JCCI, the main body of traders and industrialists across the region, had called for a strike to press for its various demands including abolition of toll tax being charged by state government on goods at Lakhanpur and deportation of Rohingya Muslims, the NPP has given the call against the alleged “failure” of the BJP in addressing issues facing the region.

There was a partial closure of shops and market places in some areas of Jammu.

Public and private vehicles were also seen plying across Jammu, though there was a decrease in traffic flow.

JCCI members were seen going around the city requesting shopkeepers and mini-bus drivers to join the strike.

NPP activists also staged a protest at Dogra chowk in the heart of the city, burnt worn out tyres on the main road and raised anti-government slogans.

JKNPP chairman and former minister Hash Dev Singh said the BJP was indulging in “double-standards and duplicity” over the issues of deportation of Rohingyas and Article 35 A leading to public resentment against the saffron party.

Reports of protest by supporters of the bandh were also received on Jammu-Panthankote highway, officials said, adding the protest failed to have any impact on the movement of traffic on the highway.

The Jammu-Srinagar highway is also open for vehicular traffic with light motor vehicles plying from both sides, the officials said, adding due to ongoing repair work, load carriers are only moving from Jammu to Srinagar today.

“There was no bandh related violence reported from anywhere,” Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, Sunil Gupta told PTI.

He said police is monitoring the situation and have taken necessary measures to ensure peace in the region.