Valsad calls bandh for Amarnath victims

A daylong bandh was called for in the town to Valsad on Wednesday to protest against the attack on Amarnath pilgrims on Monday, where seven people lost their lives to terrorism, with most business establishments choosing to voluntarily remain shut.

Shop associations in Valsad had asked members to close their shops, while auto associations had asked driver to not to ferry passengers in respect of the victims of the attack. Only medical shops remained open for the public, while autos ferrying school children and senior citizen were allowed to travel.

Valsad's major business areas on MG Road, Azad Chowk, Tower Road and vegetable markets remained totally shut. "Shopkeepers decided to shut their establishments today (Wednesday) over the Amarnath terror attack. Though schools, colleges and offices were open, all major markets remained closed," Valsad collector CR Kharsan said. 

Sahid Iqbal Shaikh, a member of an auto association, said, "We requested auto drivers to not work today (Wednesday), but are not forcing them. We are doing this to show respect to Amarnath victims."

Valsad SP Sunil Joshi said, "The bandh call announced in Valsad was not forced. People who wanted to keep their shops open or run their autos were allowed to do so.” 

Police were deployed to ensure that no one forced people to follow the bandh call and strict actions were to be taken against those enforcing the same.

Three persons from Valsad were among the seven pilgrims killed in the terror attack in Kashmir's Anantnag district on Monday evening.