Kotkhai schoolgirl rape and murder case: Near total bandh in Shimla, normal life badly hit

Shimla: Normal life was thrown out of gear as the Shimla bandh called by the BJP in protest against alleged mishandling of the Kotkhai schoolgirl rape and murder case evoked a massive response.

The bandh was called in the wake of the custodial death of one of the five arrested accused in the case.

Traffic came to a standstill as BJP workers blocked the road at Sanjauli and Victory tunnel, and also gheraoed the state secretariat.

A few incidents of stone pelting near the Secretariat and smashing of window panes of state roadways and private buses near Talland marked the bandh.

Protesters squatted on the road at Victory Tunnel and some other places to block traffic on the circular road, the lifeline of the state capital.

Demonstrations and rallies were held in Theog, and other parts of the Shimla district.

A delegation led by former state BJP Chief Suresh Bhardwaj and vice president Ganesh Dutt submitted a memorandum to Governor Acharya Devvrat demanding imposition of President's Rule in the state.

The BJP leaders alleged that there was no law and order and virtually "jungle raj" in the state capital. People are enraged and are taking to streets in desperation, they said.

Bhardwaj alleged police and the government were trying to save the real culprits.

The killing of an accused in police custody, allegedly by another accused was a serious matter. They alleged efforts were being made to destroy evidence.

The Nagrik Sabha, Shimla, also organised a protest march from Deputy Commissioner's Office to Raj Bhawan.

Most of the shops and other business establishments remained closed and bus services to upper Shimla region were disrupted.

However, bus services from ISBT to lower areas and other states were not affected.

The protesters also blocked the Hindustan-Tibet National Highway at Theog and some other places.

RSS' youth wing ABVP also joined the protests and its workers blocked traffic on the circular road at various places. They blamed both the state and central government for delay in handing over the case to the CBI.

A Class 10 student was raped and murdered in Kotkhai area of Shimla district on July 4 after she took a lift on a vehicle driven by one of the accused Rajender.

The body of the victim was recovered from the nearby Halila forest two days later. Six persons were arrested in connection with the case.