First Jammu Bandh After Article 370 Abrogation Affects Normal Life

A Jammu bandh call given by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) evoked a massive response impacting normal life across the Jammu region on Wednesday.

Protests and rallies were taken out at various places of the region for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370. Though some sections of Jammu had supported the abrogation of Article 370, they are now angry over various decisions of the government including new excise policy, new regulations on bars and restaurants, the closing of the 149-year-old practice of Darbar Move, new Geology and Mining policies, restrictions on banquet halls and proposed opening of a chain of Reliance Retail stores. The JCCI said all these moves have disturbed Jammu trade adversely. 

In almost all districts of the Jammu region markets wore a deserted look with shops and business establishments including chemist shops remained closed. The public and private traffic were also off the roads. The strike, which got support from almost all political parties except the BJP, remained peaceful with no untoward incident reported from anywhere. As the high court bar association, Jammu supported the call the work in courts remained



affected.

“We were told no trade of Jammu will be disturbed but the way the trade has been disturbed it will not be tolerated for long. Already our businesses have been disturbed. We don’t want people from outside to come here to disturb our businesses and start ruling the way East India Company was,” Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) president Arun Gupta told reporters in Jammu. “We were told Jammu trade will not be disturbed but it has been already distributed,” Gupta added.

S. Gajan Singh Khajuria president of J&K Motor Transport Companies Association (JKMTCA) told reporters that transporters are with the bandh. He said if there are some vehicles plying on the roads today they might be some government officials or those having emergencies. He said those opposing the call or any such steps are anti-Jammu. “Everyone should come forward and raise their voice for the rights of Jammu,” he added. He said the administration should realize they are here for the Jammu people. “In this administration, there are fewer people from Jammu. The present administration is dominated by outsiders. They don’t know anything about issues of Jammu,” Khajuria said.