Normal life was badly affected in the city on Monday as opposition parties called for a shutdown, in protest against land Acquisition Bill. The leading opposition party–Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) called the bandh which was supported by Congress and JMM in enforcing the shutdown. Shops and commercial establishments barring medical stores and hospitals downed shutters in all the major localities of the city. However, no major disturbances were reported from any part of the city as the public apprehending trouble due to the bandh call and stayed indoor.
Amidst strict police vigil, the opposition leaders were arrested before they could enforce bandh in their respective areas as public modes of transport including autorickshaws and train services remained unaffected. Meanwhile, JVM activists turned violent as they were arrested while trying to break glasses of private vehicles on road near Mango and Baridih. Schools and colleges remained open as usual.
JVM district president Firoz Khan, described the bandh as successful and peaceful. “We have received a spontaneous response. People closed their establishment showing solidarity with our protest. The commercial establishments were also closed,” said Firoz Khan. Another leader said the land Bill that has been introduced by the Union government was aimed at promoting the commercial interests of corporate houses at the expense of the farmers. He accused the Narendra Modi Government of dividing the country on communal lines and also widening wealth inequality among the industrialists and the common man.
City SP Chandan Jha said that over 300 political activists from different political parties were taken under preventive custody from different police stations and later released on personal recognizance (PR) bonds in evening. “In view of the bandh security was beefed up. Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were deployed at Sakchi roundabout and sensitive locations. The activists arrested were released in the evening,” the city SP said.