Dehradun, Sept 08: Faced with growing protests over the alleged remarks by garhwal university Vice Chancellor N Natrajan against "Paharis", Uttaranchal Governor Sudershan Agarwal today ordered a high level inquiry into the episode even as students in Srinagar town observed a bandh over the issue. A two-member committee, comprising Chief Secretary R S Toli and retired IAS J C Pant, has been constituted to probe the episode in which a magazine quoted Natrajan as saying ten percent of 'Paharis' (people living in hills) are 'thieves', Governor's Secretary N Ravishankar told reporters. The committee has been asked to submit its report within two weeks.
Meanwhile, a day's bandh was observed in Srinagar town of Pauri Garhwal district where the varsity is located to protest Natrajan's reported comments.

All schools, colleges, cinema houses, petrol pumps, markets and other business establishments remained closed in town with university workers, including teachers and lecturers, also staying away from work.

The students blocked traffic on Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway and torched tyres, burnt effigies of Natrajan and shouted slogans against him. Bureau Report