Widespread response to bandh in Chhattisgarh

The bandh called by NDA, Left parties and SP to protest the UPA's diesel price hike, FDI in multi-brand retail and cap on subsidised LPG today received a good response in the BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh state.

Since morning, the workers of BJP, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and Left parties forced closure of shops and commercial establishments in Raipur.

The protesters shouting slogans against the UPA government also forced Walmart's 'Best Price' market to close down here.

The buses were off roads all over the state while there were reports of protesters trying to stop trains at certain places thus posing problems for the commuters.

In Raipur, the BJP and Left activists appealed to the businessman to keep their establishments closed.

The bandh has been supported by the Chhattisgarh Chamber of Commerce owing to which the major business set ups in the city observed a spontaneous bandh.

Educational institutions, cinema halls and malls also remained close in Raipur though essential services were kept out of the bandh.

Raipur SSP Deepanshu Kabra said police force has been deployed all over to prevent any untoward incident, though none was reported so far.

Additional security has been posted in the markets and in front of central government offices here, he said.

Meanwhile, there were reports of a comprehensive bandh from other cities in the state too.

While BJP workers forced closure of shops and commercial establishments in Bilaspur, MP Saroj Pandey took out a motorcycle rally in Durg.

An overall bandh was also reported in Raigarh, Rajnandgaon, Korba and Jagdalpur.

Some BJYM workers tried to disrupt movement of trains in Jagdalpur and Durg because of which they were running behind schedule.

State BJP president Ramsevak Paikra said the "demon of inflation and corruption, in the form of UPA government, were devouring the country".

He said people had now lost patience and by supporting the bandh, they have registered a strong protest against the central government.

He said Manmohan Singh had been the most unsuccessful Prime Minister so far while adding that today's Bharat bandh would decide the country's future.