Bandh a damp squib

SONEPAT, Aug 20: The Sonepat bandh, call for which was given by the District Sangharsh Samiti against the inadequate and erratic power an...

SONEPAT, Aug 20: The Sonepat bandh, call for which was given by the District Sangharsh Samiti against the inadequate and erratic power and water supply to farmers and city dwellers, evoked little response. Barring the areas of Mandi and Gohana road, the shopkeepers of other areas ignored the call and carried on with their business as usual today.

All government establishments including banks and post offices functioned normally. All private and government schools had normal attendance. Haryana Roadways and private operators’ buses plied on all routes and passengers did not face any difficulty. Essential services like electricity and water supply also remained unaffected.

Leaders of the Sangharsh Samiti also organised a small procession which passed through the main markets of the city carrying placards and raising anti-government slogans. S.N. Solanki (CPM) and Howa Singh (CITU) were among those who participated in the procession.

Story continues below this ad

A strong contingent of police accompanied the procession to avoid any untoward incident. Armed police pickets were also posted at vulnerable points as a precautionary measure.The police are also reported to have rounded up a number of leaders of the Sangharsh Samiti but the number of such leaders is not known. Both the DC and the SP were away from the city.

Representatives of various trade and business organisations had called on Deputy Commissioner P.K. Mahapatra and the Superintendent of Police, K Selvraj here yesterday and had assured them that they will not participate in the bandh.

The deputy commissioner had, in turn, apprised them of the steps taken by the concerned authorities to ensure regular power and water supply and to fulfill other demands of the people.