Varun's arrest: Pilibhit observes shutdown

Shops and businesses were shut in Pilibhit and neighbouring districts in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday in response to a call for a day-long general strike by the VHP to protest the arrest of BJP young leader Varun Gandhi.

Shops and business establishments downed shutters at most places during the dawn-to-dusk protest in Pilibhit, Bisalpur, Puranpur and Majhola districts. Authorities had beefed up security and deployed adequate police, PAC and Rapid Action Force to maintain law and order. 

There were reports of minor clashes between VHP activists and traders at a few places.
However, district magistrate Ajay Chauhan said no untoward incident took place in any part of Pilibhit.  Gandhi, the BJP candidate from Pilibhit Lok Sabha seat, has been booked under the National Security Act for his hate speeches.