Opposition holds protest in Uttarakhand, normal life unaffected

DEHRADUN: Normal life remained unaffected in Uttarakhand today, with schools and business establishments open, even as Congress held demonstrations at all the district headquarters in protest against demonetisation issue, as part of the 'Jan Aakrosh Divas' observed across the country.

It was business as usual on the streets of the city which wore a busy look with the shutters of all shops open and markets full of customers.

Traffic was normal on the streets of Dehradun, Rishikesh and Haridwar.

All educational institutions throughout Uttarakhand were also open.

Pradesh BJP spokesman Munna Singh Chauhan said the 'bandh' was a total failure in Uttarakhand where people went ahead with the day-to-day activities without any interruptions.

"People have shown the mirror to opposition parties which had called the bandh in support of black money hoarders.

"They have also shown that they stand with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his fight against corruption, black money and terrorism," he said.

Vyapar Mandal state president Umesh Aggarwal thanked all businessmen for not responding to the protest call saying they have set a healthy example.

However, Congress held demonstrations at all the district headquarters in protest against demonetisation saying it had hit common people and the farmers.

"Instead of hitting terror funding agencies and black money hoarders as being claimed by the Centre, it has hit the common people who are still queueing up outside banks and ATMs for hours on end.

The sowing season is underway and farmers have no cash to buy seeds," Vice President Jot Singh Bisht said.

Claiming that BJP insiders were aware of demonetisation decision in advance, the Congress submitted a memorandum addressing the President to the district administration, demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe into alleged deposit of large sums of money by the Bengal unit of BJP.

They also asked for the probe into alleged purchase of land worth crores by the party's Bihar unit immediately before the central government's November 8 move.

However, Bisht said the party was not in support of this protest as it would add to people's trouble who are already inconvenienced by demonetisation.