Cong’s Chanda bandh call evokes mixed response

Chandrapur:Bandh call given by Congress leaders evoked mixed response in Chandrapur on Thursday. Bandh call was given to flay the move to carry out last rites at a closed down crematorium at Datala bridge situated in front of Lord Balaji temple on Irai river on Tuesday. The main city market remained closed on Thursday. Shops in Sarafa lane, Gandhi chowk, Mahatma Gandhi, interiors of Gol bazar road too were closed for the day.Many schools had already declared a holiday. However, emergency services like hospitals, medical shops and petrol pumps were spared.
Meanwhile, Sindhi community, which was dragged into the controversy, has washed its hands off the case. Secretary of Sindhi Samaj panchayat, Meghraj Pabnani made it clear that Sindhis carry out last rites at the Shantidham crematorium at Binba gate since Datala gram panchayat had denied permission and closed the crematorium at Datala bridge. The community members who carried the body to Datala bridge crematorium on Tuesday had sought no permission from Sindhi community, he clarified.
Congress leader Naresh Puglia alleged that the police and administration had jumped in to support BJP corporator Balraj Dodani who led the funeral to closed crematorium on directives of BJP minister here. He flayed administration’s discriminatory stand.