By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The nationwide 12-hour Bharat bandh on Thursday called by the Opposition NDA and the Left Front to protest the recent hike in petrol prices evoked good response in Meghalaya.
The shutdown was partially in the State capital, but in Ri Bhoi district and Garo Hills region the bandh was mostly effective.
Vehicles were seen plying normally in Khyndai Lad and IGP areas of the city, however, most of the shops in the commercial areas of Khyndai Lad and Iewduh remained shut.
Shops remained open in several localities but local taxis mostly kept off the roads in the city. Commuters however got relief thanks to the SPTS buses and maxi taxis that were seen plying normally.
Many schools in the city remained closed for the day. All Government offices functioned normally even though the attendance was thin as compared to other days.
Meanwhile, a police source informed that some incidents of stone pelting was reported on the Shillong-Guwahati National Highway following which security on the highway was strengthened. The incidents were reported from Mawiong and Umling, Ri Bhoi district. Unidentified miscreants even tried to torch tyres at Lad Umroi area near the Umiam Lake. There was no other report of any unpleasant incident during the bandh.
Sending a clear message to the Central Government that the recent exorbitant rise of petrol would not be tolerated in Ri Bhoi district, the citizens of the district lent full support to the 12-hour Bharat bandh, by keeping their shops and commercial establishments under lock and key and giving their vehicles a rest in their garages.
The impact of the bandh was total and effective as all shops and commercial establishments were closed. Vegetable and meat market also remained closed throughout the day. There was nil or very poor attendances in government offices. The ever busy NH-40 roads wore a deserted look with only a handful of trucks and few private and public vehicles seen plying on the highway. Schools and colleges also remained closed.
The bandh was evident in parts of Garo Hills especially in Tura, with restricted vehicular movement and closure of major business establishments reported throughout the region.
Plying of vehicles in Tura was minimal with only government-run buses doing the rounds throughout the day. Attendances in government establishments were thin owing to the lack of adequate transportation, while business establishments in Tura market and other parts of the region were mostly closed. However, some schools remained open while others closed at noon. Average vehicular movement, both private and government could be seen throughout the day.
Terming the 12-hour Bharat bandh as a success, BJP state unit general secretary Dipayan Chakraborty thanked the organisations and people who supported the bandh.
According to BJP, the hike in petrol price is an anti-people move by the UPA government. The success of the bandh in Meghalaya proves that there is widespread anger among people over the way petrol price has been increased, he added.