Jharkhand Bandh' Hits Traffic, Biz

The 'Jharkhand Bandh' called by tribal groups to mount pressure on the state government for the proper protection of tribal religious places and cultural identity disrupted normal life on Wednesday, with several roadblocks and business shutdowns reported across the state.

- Raj Kumar

RANCHI:

A police official at the state police headquarters, monitoring the law and order situation during the bandh, said that although no untoward incidents took place in any part of the state, there were reports of road blockades and closures of business establishments. "Though the protest remained peaceful and concluded without any major incidents, there is information about road blockades and closure of business establishments and offices from different parts of the state," the official said.

A police official in Ranchi said major intersections in the city witnessed road blockades by protesters. "By around 3 PM, the protestors concluded their demonstrations. Marking the end of their protest, they shared a meal before clearing the roads and allowing traffic to resume. Before this, they had blocked the Ranchi-Daltonganj road at Biju Pada Chowk, NH-39 at Brambe Chowk in Mandar, Argora-Big Bazar Road near Kadru, Kanke Road near Holiday Home, among others," the official said.

An official at Doranda police station said at Hinoo Chowk, bandh supporters shouted anti-government slogans. "Hemant Soren Hai Hai," the supporters were heard sloganeering.

Birsa Munda Airport director, R Maurya, said that 15 passengers missed their flights due to the bandh, but they were adjusted on the next available or next-day flights.