Bharat bandh evokes mixed response in NE

Congress state president Birajit Sinha and former MLA Gopal Roy along with 200 others were detained when they tried to block the main entrance of the Civil Secretariat on Monday at around 8.30 am.

Sinha told the media that the bandh was a total success across the State despite government �threat� to the people. �The government and the ruling BJP tried to foil the bandh but people accepted the strike� he said at a press conference.

Interestingly, CPI (M) which had extended support to the Congress called strike remained relatively dormant.

IMPHAL: The nationwide general strike threw normal life out of gear in Manipur on Monday.

The committee of political parties, an umbrella of 10 opposition parties in Manipur observed the nationwide general strike against the �unbearable price hike� of essential commodities. The Committee supported the nationwide hartal to show solidarity, according to Convenor of committee of political parties RK Anand.

The Bharat Bandh was effective in greater Imphal area and other districts as strike supporters comprising mostly women came out in groups to enforce the bandh. The roads here wore a desolate look from dawn to dusk as transport services were suspended for the day. Most government and private offices, besides educational institutions, markets, shops and business establishments, remained closed.

Aizawl: The Bandh was not observed in Mizoram, the last Congress bastion in North East.

However, a demonstration attended by a few Congress workers was held in front of Vanapa Hall in the afternoon in which slogans were shouted and placards displayed against the rising fuel prices.

Talking to reporters before the demonstration, AICC representative Pradyut Bordoloi said with yesterday being a Sunday, a day of worship for Christians in Mizoram, the Congress decided not to observe the bandh as two consecutive non-working days would cause a great loss for daily wage-earners.

He slammed the Narendra Modi Government for causing a severe harm to the country�s economy.

SHILLONG: The Bharat bandh passed of peacefully in Meghalaya today with normal life continuing as usual with business establishments, offices and educational institutions remaining open.

The Congress had called a nationwide protest against the �hike in fuel prices� and demanded a roll back of the prices by the NDA Government.

AICC general secretary in-charge Meghalaya, Luizinho Faleiro was deputed in the State Capital to spearhead the �Bharat bandh.� However, the Congress leaders only took out a march from Police Bazaar to its party office at Thana Road and later held a press briefing.

ITANAGAR: Normal life was today totally paralysed in Arunachal Pradesh, including the State capital Itanagar, due to the �Bharat bandh� called by opposition Congress in protest against the rising fuel prices in the country.

The bandh passed off peacefully with no report of any untoward incident, police sources said.

However, in Capital Complex area police registered two cases of rioting at Itanagar and Naharlagun Police Stations and arrested 18 people. Further, 66 others were detained in Capital Complex and seven in Likabali.

Business establishments, shops and markets remained closed and all types of vehicular traffic were off the road during the bandh. Government offices and establishments including banks, post offices and educational institutions also remained closed.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee lodged a complaint with Director General of Police against Itanagar Capital Complex SP accusing the latter of using abusive language against senior Mahila Congress leaders while they were picketing. APCC demanded a public apology from the SP and disciplinary action against him.