Munger, Sept 23: Shops in major markets remained closed and thin vehicular traffic was witnessed during a dawn-to-dusk bandh call given here today by several traders and civic bodies in protest against the delay in recovery of a five-year-old boy, who was kidnapped last Friday. Schools remained closed in support of the bandh call while government offices witnessed lower attendance. The protestors, including school children, marched through the main streets of the town and submitted a memorandum to District Magistrate Gautam Goswami demanding immediate recovery of the boy Ankesh, who was abducted while returning from school. Goswami assured them that the district administration was doing its best to free Ankesh, son of an agriculture scientist from the clutches of the abductors.

Sister Lalitha, principal of Notre Dame Academy, where Ankesh was a Montessory student, said that the school would remain closed till the boy was recovered.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Bhagalpur, Amrik Singh Nimbran, today directed local police officials to step up operation against criminals.

Bureau Report