Farmers Movement Archive

Hathras case: Partial bandh observed in Amritsar

Amritsar, October 10A partial bandh was observed in the city as major markets remained closed on the strike call given by Valmiki organisations.These organisations are seeking justice for the family of “Manisha” Valmiki, who was gangraped and murdered in Hathras.Routine life was thrown out of gear as all commercial markets, establishments, including shops downed their shutters acceding to the bandh call to impress upon the government to deliver justice.Activists of some organisations enforced bandh in various parts of the city. The strike passed off peacefully with no untoward incident being reported. Commercial hubs of the city, including wholesale textile markets such as Katra Ahluwalia, Shastri market, Tahli Wala Bazaar, Pratap Bazaar and nearby streets, were closed.Similarly, stationery items market, Mai Sewa Wala Bazaar, gold and silver ornaments’ market Guru Bazaar, Bhandiyan Wala Bazaar, Chaurasti Attari and BattiHatta were also closed. Grain markets such as Daal Mandi, Mishri Bazaar, Swank Mandi, Wadi Dhab, Dhab Wasti Ram, Lachchmansar Chowk and surrounding areas were also found to be completely shut due to the bandh.Meanwhile, a large number of markets re-opened in the evening.Activists of the Vishav Valmiki Dharam Samaj Sangathan held a sit-in and hunger strike at Bhandari Raiwlay overbridge. Addressing them, Ravinder Hans, Convener of Phule Ambedkar Joint Action Committee, asked the Yogi Adityanath government of UP to ensure justice to the family.In a separate protest, members of the Accredited social health activist (ASHA) Workers Facilitators Union, Majitha Block, along with activists of the Central Industrial Trade Union (CITU) held a protesting march in the Putlighar area.Bandh evokes mixed response in Tarn TaranTarn Taran: The Punjab Bandh call given by the Dalit organisations against the Hathras (Uttar Pradesh) episode, in which a Dalit girl was brutally assaulted and gang-raped, evoked a mixed response here on Saturday. Shopkeepers and other commercial establishments downed their shutters for a few hours. The workers of the Dalit organisations, led by Manjit Singh Mintoo, organised a march in the bazaars of the town. The protesting workers blocked road at the local Chaunk Bohri and burnt the effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath. The protesters condemned the atrocities against the Dalit sections, especially women, in the country and stressed on the need for a nationwide struggle with the assistance of minorities communities. The bandh evoked mixed response in other parts of the district as well. OC

The Tribune

2020-10-11