Jalandhar, September 11:- Jalandhar was shut today in protest against the desecration of the statue of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar in Ludhiana. The Valmiki community had given a call for a Jalandhar bandh from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Accordingly, all markets and shops in Jalandhar city have remained closed since morning. Banks are also closed, while in Hoshiarpur, protesters have also got markets closed.
In this regard, the organisations have clarified that schools and colleges have been exempted from the bandh keeping students’ examinations in mind. Besides, medical stores and emergency healthcare services will continue as usual. In view of the Jalandhar bandh, the police and administration have made elaborate security arrangements in the city to maintain law and order. Rajiv Gora, president of Bhagwan Valmiki Shakti Kranti Sena Punjab, said that the main protest is being held at Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Chowk in Jalandhar.
In addition, members of various organisations visited the markets and appealed to shopkeepers to keep their shops closed. They said that traders of Jalandhar’s busiest Rainak Bazaar had already extended their support. Shopkeepers in other markets also cooperated by keeping their shops closed.
It may be recalled that Gaurav, president of the 'Bhim Kranti Sena', alleged that some political parties were getting such incidents carried out to further their political interests and that the police were not making adequate security arrangements. He warned that the bandh had been called in protest against the failure to immediately arrest the accused and said that if the police did not arrest the accused soon, the agitation would be intensified at the state level.
Meanwhile, in Ludhiana, Police Commissioner Swapn Sharma will hold a meeting with members of the Dalit community at the Police Lines today. The police said that the matter would be resolved soon. They also said that action would be taken against whoever is found guilty.