Poor response to Bharat Bandh in Chhattisgarh

It was business as usual, commercial establishments were not impacted; train services were normal, vehicles ran smoothly

The bandh called by a few opposition parties protesting against demonetisation evoked little response in the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Chhattisgarh today.

It was business as usual in the state and commercial establishments were hardly impacted. In fact, traders were confused as there were no preparations on the part of the organisers to make the bandh a success.

“There was no call for a bandh in Chhattisgarh and hence business was normal across the state,” Jitendra Barlota, Working President of Chhattisgarh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said. Since there was no call, there was no question of supporting or opposing the bandh, he added.

Workers of Community Party of India (Marxist) vehemently protested outside the main branch of State Bank of India (SBI). Congress workers took out a rally to mark the protest day, though they did not called for a bandh.

The police administration had made adequate arrangements to meet with any eventuality in the wake of the protests. No untoward incident was reported from any part of the state.

Vehicles were running smoothly and train services were normal.