Jamshedpur: Bharat bandh evokes mixed response, schools and colleges remain shut, five trains cancelled

Jamshedpur, June 20: The Bharat Bandh called by several students’ outfits in protest against the Centre’s Agnipath recruitment scheme, evoked mixed response in the city on Monday. Though in the morning most of the shops and other business establishments were closed but after a few hours it got re-opened. Auto-rickshaws and other means of transportation plied though their numbers were less. A few numbers of bandh supporters were seen on the road. 

A senior police official of East Singhbhum district said that they are keeping a close watch on the situation and that no untoward incidents have been reported so far from any parts of the district.

Meanwhile, security was beefed up at Tatanagar Railway Station. Several trains were also cancelled while all educational institutions remained closed in Jamshedpur in response to the Bharat Bandh.

As many as five trains including 18181 Tatanagar-Thawe Express Tatanagar,  Tatanagar- Danapur Express, Tatanagar- Chhapra Express, Puri- New Delhi Purushottam Superfast Express and South Bihar Express remained cancelled today.

The focus was on the protection of railway tracks. Heavy deployment of police was made in the steel city apart from the Tatanagar railway station. Railway Protection Force (RPF ) and Government Railway Police (GRP) were deployed at the Tatanagar railway station to prevent any untoward incidents.

In the city, all private and government schools remained closed. Management of private schools informed the parents and students about the suspension of classes due to the bandh through Whatsapp.

One of the youths supporting bandh said that Agnipath recruitment scheme is mere eyewash and it will not serve the purpose to reduce unemployment in the country. The youths need such jobs so that their future is secured. The decision taken by the Modi government will add to woes for the youths. It is high time that the Government takes back its decision orelse the youths will further intensify their drive.    

Meanwhile, the administration maintained strict vigil during the day in view of bandh. “Not a single damage to private or government property has been reported from anywhere in the district. The bandh was entirely peaceful,” said a police official.

 Some of the bandh supporters claimed it to be successful. “The bandh was able to send a message to the Government about the Agnipath recruitment scheme that it is not in favour of the Government. Some of the small and medium traders across the city kept their shops shut in response to the bandh. We have received good responses for the bandh,” said a Congress leader.

Meanwhile, some shops remained closed in Bistupur, Sakchi and other market areas during the morning hours, later they opened.

Police deployment was made at strategic locations to prevent any untowards incident. Highway patrolling has intensified since morning. Jharkhand Armed Police personnel were pressed on the National Highway-33 for patrolling between Dimna Chowk to Barabanki, a stretch of about 12 Kms.