Congress observes bandh in Chhattisgarh against Naxal attack

RAIPUR: The state-wide bandh called by main opposition Congress in protest against the Naxal attack in Sukma district in Chhattisgarh today received good response, the party claimed. Sixteen people, including 15 security personnel, were killed in the Naxal attack on Tuesday.

The main markets here remained closed today. The State Chamber of Commerce supported the strike. Shops, petrol pumps and cinemas also remained shut. Because of the ongoing examinations, schools had been excluded from the bandh. The bandh reportedly got a good response in Naxal-affected Bastar region of the state as well.

Congress said people participated in the bandh voluntarily and it reflected the resentment against the BJP government in the state. State Congress spokesperson Shailesh Nitin Trivedi alleged that while the state government was apathetic towards the Naxal menace, some BJP leaders were actually in cahoots with the rebels. He cited the example of arrest of an accomplice of the ultras from the car of BJP leader Sohan Potai.