SHILLONG: The Bharat Bandh on Thursday evoked good response in the city with a large section of the society extending support to the NDA-sponsored bandh called in protest against limitation on the number of subsidised LPG cylinders and hike in diesel price.
Majority of the business establishments, schools and colleges remained closed in the city.
Commercial vehicles and local taxis remained off the roads during the 12-hour bandh and only a limited number of private vehicles were seen plying on the roads.
Commuters, however, made full use of the SPTS buses and maxi taxis that were seen plying normally.
Two of the biggest commercial markets in the city – Iewduh and Khyndai Lad – also remained closed, while Government offices recorded thin attendances.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal, however, claimed that the attendance of Government employees was around 60 per cent on Thursday.
The Meghalaya Joint Council of Trade Unions and Associations also staged a protest in support of the bandh at the parking lot opposite the CTO building.
Senior BJP leader Nalin Satyakam Kohli, who was deputed here to oversee the success of the bandh, said that support of the people to the bandh clearly indicates that they are unhappy with the anti-people policy of the UPA Government.
Meanwhile, the bandh concluded peacefully in Tura with partial response throughout Garo Hills. Educational institutions and business establishments were totally shut down in Tura during the bandh. However, unhindered vehicular traffic was seen plying throughout the day with moderate attendance recorded in government establishments.
Fifty per cent of business establishments remained open in the plain belt areas of Garo Hills with educational institutions and government offices functioning normally throughout the day.
However the bandh had no effect in East Garo Hills, particularly in Williamnagar, where education institutions, government offices and business establishments were open throughout the day.
No untoward incidents were reported in the region during the duration of the bandh.
