Dehradun, Apr 23: Normal life was paralysed across Uttaranchal today in response to the day-long bandh called to protest police "repression" during anti-eve teasing protests in Hardwar where curfew was relaxed in the trouble-torn areas which remained peaceful. Shops, commercial establishments, including petrol pumps, educational institutions and banks remained closed and skeletal traffic plied on the roads here and in Hardwar.

Reports said that the bandh was complete in the hill resorts of Mussoorie and Nainital causing much inconvenience to the tourists who were forced to stay indoors in the hotels.

The bandh was also complete in the entire Pithoragarh district, reports said.

At Hardwar, where clashes between locals and police left one person dead and about 100 injured on Wednesday, situation remained peaceful and curfew was relaxed for the second day for three hours beginning at 6 pm.


Deputy Inspector General Ashok Kumar said that elaborate security arrangements were made for the evening aarti at Har-ki-Pauri, watched by hundreds of pilgrims.


Kumar said that day curfew could be lifted in the holy city tomorrow if the situation remains peaceful.
Meanwhile, Uttaranchal traders association, which called the bandh, has threatened to intensify its agitation if DIG P K Joshi and U K Singh, in-charge of ardhkumbh mela, where the eve teasing incident took place, are not removed.


The bandh was supported by BJP and other traders' organisations of the state.

Bureau Report