Total bandh in Gaya against Surendra Yadav’s ‘atrocities’

GAYA: The Gaya bandh call given by the newly formed Nagrik Sangharsh Morcha and supported by several business organizations, including Central Bihar Chamber of Commerce, Bullion Association, Sweet Sellers Association and Chemists and Druggist Association etc, evoked good response.
The bandh call was given to register protest against the alleged vandalism by Belaganj RJD MLA Surendra Yadav and his driver and bodyguards in the commercial hub of the town late on December 14 evening.
Whereas the bandh was near total in the main commercial centre, including G B Road, K P Road, Tekari Road, Ramna Road and Dak Bungalow Road etc, some shops and business establishments elsewhere in the town opened in the second half.
Vehicular traffic was severely affected by the bandh. Most of the private educational institutions remained closed while attendance in the government schools and colleges was very thin.
A well known ‘tilkut’ trader of the town was allegedly thrashed by the MLA's men for offering resistance to queue-jumping efforts of the MLA's driver and bodyguards. In the brawl, hot sugar mix was poured on the MLA causing him superficial burn injuries. Yadav has since been discharged from the hospital.
Besides protest registration, the bandh was organized to build pressure on the district police for a fair and impartial investigation of the two cases registered in connection with the Sunday incident and even handed treatment to the accused of the two cases.
Asked about the demand of the bandh organizers for the arrest of the MLA's bodyguards, SSP Nishant Tiwari told TOI that the bodyguards have already surrendered before the court and granted bail by the judicial magistrate and as such the arrest demand has become infructuous. Promising fair investigation of the case, the SSP said that if found guilty during the investigation charge sheet will be submitted against the policemen figuring as accused in the case.