Dehradun: All the major markets in the city remained closed on Saturday following a bandh call given by right-wing organisations like Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad in protest against the Pulwama attacks that killed 40 CRPF soldiers on Thursday. Hundreds of activists, shouting anti-Pakistan slogans, forcibly closed shops in Paltan Bazaar, Rajpur Road, Chakrata Road and other prominent markets. Jasveer Singh, one of the activists, said, “It is a sad day for all of us and every loyal citizen of the country must pay respects to the martyred soldiers. We had asked people to shut their shops for a day for the soldiers. If they do not comply, we have to force them to do so.”A group of activists also forced organisers of a fair being held at Parade Ground to shut it down for the day. “When the entire country is mourning, how can people enjoy themselves at fairs?,” said Yogesh, a member of the group.A shopkeeper at Paltan Bazaar meanwhile told TOI,“Our utmost sympathy is with families of those who had laid down their lives and many shopkeepers had also voluntarily closed shops as a mark of respect. However, forced closure of shops should not have happened. Vegetable vendors and pavement sellers were also heckled by the protestors.”Incidentally, the forced closure of establishments throughout the city happened in front of police officials who did not intervene, and remained mere spectators. When queried, Ashok Kumar, director general (law & order), said, “We have deployed enough police force in all areas. No mishap has happened and the law and order situation is totally under control.”

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