Muted response to 'Bharat Bandh' in Uttar Pradesh

The "Bharat Bandh" -- countrywide shutdown -- called by the opposition parties to protest the fiscal chaos post demonetisation found little support in Uttar Pradesh on Monday.

While the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) workers protested at railway tracks in Allahabad and Kanpur, all major markets by and large remained open.

No untoward incident was reported till noon from anywhere in the state though protests have been reported from Mainpuri, Chandauli, Etawah, Kanpur, Agra, Allahabad, Mirzapur, Bhadohi and Unnao, an official said.

Most trader organisations have excused themselves from the day-long shutdown, citing they had no instructions from their central leadership.

All major markets like Hazratganj, Narahi, Aminabad, Bhootnath and Gole Market remained open.

Shops also were reported open in Barabanki, Firozabad, Rampur, Sambhal, Amroha, most districts of western and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The Congress also staged protests at some places.

--IANS

md/ahm/vt