Cong hits streets in U'khand during 'bandh'

Congress workers across Uttarakhand hit the streets Monday to protest against the rise in petrol and diesel prices staging processions and burning effigies.

The 'Bharat Bandh' call given by the party, however, received a mixed response with visible impact in places like Uttarkashi and Rishikesh while in several other cities there was only isolated closure of shops.

In Rishikesh, Congress leaders took out a procession and burned an effigy evoking a spontaneous response with business establishments at Ram Jhula, Lakshman Jhula, Tapovan, Shyampur and Rani Pokhri areas who kept shutters down.

In state capital Dehradun, the response to the bandh was partial with a majority of shops transacting business as normal. However, some shops on Rajpur Road and Clock Tower areas remained shut for a couple of hours at noon.

Congressmen were also seen shouting slogans at petrol pumps. Later they burnt an effigy of the central government to register their protest.

The impact of the bandh was significant in Uttarkashi where shops and schools remained closed.

Party workers led by former Gangotri MLA Vijay Pal Sajwan held a demonstration in the town and burnt an effigy at the bus stop. Addressing the public at Hanuman Chowk later, Sajwan said the central government had not kept even a single promise that was made to people.

The unprecedented rise in the prices of petroleum products has had its effect on the prices of all essential commodities making life of the common man miserable, Sajwan claimed.

Alleging that the central government was a "government of industrialists", Congress leaders asked people to unite against it.

In Chamoli, the bandh had a limited effect with shops remaining closed only for some time in Gauchar.

Congress workers also held protests in Tharali, Narayanbagad and Joshimath.