Protesting over demands of a Domicile Policy for Jharkhand some days back, tribal organisation called for a State-wide bandh on Sunday to oppose the provisions of the same legislations drafted by State Government.
The bandh remained mostly ineffective in State capital Ranchi but its effects were felt to a great extent in Kolhan area, where the call garnered the support from leading Opposition party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. Although long-route transportation was disturbed from Ranchi, life went on its way despite the bandh.
Public transport remained normal in the city without any disruption. Offices and financial institutions remained closed, whereas most shops were closed after day progressed, all without due to a Sunday and without any help from bandh enforcers.
Concurring with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to participate in the Panchayati Raj Day celebrations in Jamshedpur, both political and non-political bandh supporters tried to direct his attention on their dissent towards the Domicile Policy. Expecting the same, police forces took extra caution to keep the peace.
More than 100 magistrates and 2,000 police personnel have been deployed across the city to ward off any untowardly incident during the bandh. Orders had been issued in advance to arrest any law-breaking bandh-enforcer. Section 144 was also imposed in Ranchi. One group of protestors was taken in custody from Albert Ekka Chowk whereas the other was detained from nearby Sarjana Chowk.
“The bandh remained entirely peaceful in the State with no incident whatsoever. A total of 33 bandh supporters were arrested and were later released. The day went by peacefully without any reports of violent outbursts from Ranchi. Police personnel have been deployed aplenty considering that the PM would be Ranchi before going to Jamshedpur. All the arrangements were fruitful,” stated Superintendent of Police (City) Kishore Kaushal.
JMM leader Supriyo Bhattacharya termed the bandh entirely successful. Calling the PM’s visit aimed more at personal gains rather than for public’s, Bhattacharya stated that the protests against Domicile Policy will be intensified in coming days.