TURA: There was tepid response to the dawn-to-dusk shutdown here on Wednesday as many shop owners followed the district administration’s order to avoid penalisation for violating the High Court order against strikes.
With the administration and police working in tandem, there was no report of violence during the 5am-to-5pm bandh called by a group of NGOs in Garo Hills as a mark of protest against the killing of a teenager during a clash at Rishipara last week. West Garo Hills DC Pravin Bakshi lodged an FIR against the NGOs on Tuesday and alerted all stakeholders, including shop owners, about the High Court order.
A few shops were seen open early on Wednesday morning but the scenario changed by 11 am as many shop owners started business fearing legal tangle.
Magistrates with armed police personnel and a camera crew monitored all business centres in the town, particularly Tura Bazar, Ringrey, Hawakhana, Chandmari and Araimile (New Tura) to check on the traders who were found violating the court order. Video footages of the closed shops were also made.
At Ringrey, Hawakhana and New Tura, a few retail stores remained closed throughout the day while others opened for a brief period.
The Garo Students’ Union was leading the protest against the death of a 16-year-old boy on the night of October 14.
There was no inconvenience for commuters and vehicles. Schools and colleges were also open on Wednesday.
