Stranded passengers buses at bus stand during Jammu Bandh call to protest against government decision to give AIIMS to Kashmir originaly offered to Jammu. (PTI)
A day-long
bandh in Jammu today hit the city's transport and businesses after various political and social groups called for a strike over the reported shifting of AIIMS from Jammu to Kashmir Valley.
The
bandh was called by the Jammu Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and is supported by various political, social, transport and trade organisations of Jammu.
Transport vehicles remained off the roads with private transport unions extending support to the strike.
The passengers faced the the brunt of the strike as it became difficult for them to reach their destinations. The travellers coming to Jammu on various trains also faced difficulties as they were unable to find vehicles for the city.
Shops and other business establishments along with some educational institutions remained closed in the heart Jammu. Meanwhile, no incident of violence or protest has been reported so far from any part of the region.
"So far, the situation continues to be normal as the
bandh evokes total response in the region," a police official said.
However, the business in some other parts of the city was usual. In districts like Samba, Kathua and Udhampur, the
bandh call evoked a mixed response with no effect on the usual businesses.
Today being the last working day of the Civil Secretariat in Jammu before the offices move to the summer capital of Srinagar, there was a thin attendance of staff in the offices across the Jammu region.
Several political parties, including the opposition National Conference (NC), Congress, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP), state unit of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Kranti Dal, Bajrang Dal have extended their support for the
bandh.
Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association Jammu too have extended their support.