Bharat Bandh evokes mixed response in Jharkhand 

Jamshedpur untouched as other cities impacted

Ranchi, August 21: The day-long Bharat Bandh called by some groups over community-based reservation evoked a mixed reaction in Jharkhand on Wednesday, as several public buses stayed off the roads and schools remained closed in capital Ranchi and some other cities.

The effect of the bandh was visible in Ghatsila subdivision and Chaibasa and other parts of Seraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum district.

However, steel city of Jamshedpur was not much affected due to the bandh as schools remained opened and public transport operated as usual.

There was blockade of NH-33 at Dimna Chowk near Mango and at Kanderbera in Seraikela-Kharsawan while traffic was completely blocked along NH-33 in Baharagora.

In other districts schools, colleges and business establishments are closed. Workers are coming out on the roads and enforcing the bandh.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren has also cancelled his visit to Palamu on Wednesday due to the strike, an official said.

Twenty-one organisations across the country have called for the Bharat Bandh against the Supreme Court’s August 1 decision on the issue of SC-ST reservation. The organisations have opposed the verdict, contending that it will harm the basic principles of reservation.

In Jharkhand the ruling coalition of JMM-Congress and RJD along with Left parties had supported the bandh call.

In some parts of the state, workers of the alliance were seen taking to the streets in support of the bandh.

Schools remain closed in Ranchi and most parts of the state, while several long-route public buses were seen parked at bus stands, inconveniencing commuters.

Security has been bolstered at key locations to prevent any untoward incident, the official said.

There was a noticeable slowdown in vehicular movement across Jharkhand. From the capital city Ranchi to other districts, there has been a significant reduction in the number of vehicles on the roads since early morning. Larger vehicles, in particular, are scarcely seen.

At Ranchi’s Khadgarha Bus Stand, only a handful of buses departed early in the morning, but by 7 AM, the number had dwindled to almost none. This trend is mirrored in buses arriving from other districts. Although bandh supporters have not yet taken to the streets to enforce the strike, the absence of vehicles is evident.

All schools have been closed in light of the bandh, resulting in the suspension of school buses and other school-related transport services. Auto-rickshaws and other vehicles operating within the city are also fewer in number.

The impact of Bharat Bandh has been seen in Dhanbad district as well. Traffic on the city roads was completely affected. Bandh supporters came out on the roads at many places.

The road was blocked, a motorcycle rally was taken out and slogans were raised. In view of the bandh, Dhanbad police teams were seen deployed at various places.