Markets and commercial establishments remained closed across Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala districts of Punjab on Thursday as residents observed a bandh in protest against the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
In Hoshiarpur, the shutdown was in response to a call by various Hindu organisations. Traders and shopkeepers also closed their establishments as a mark of solidarity with the victims. The protest was led by Mohan Lal 'Lucky' Thakur, state secretary of the Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, and supported by members of other Hindu groups.
The demonstrators took out a march through various city markets, raising slogans against “Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and cross-border violence”. They also urged the Central government to respond firmly to the killings and appealed to the public to support the bandh in a unified show of resistance.
Later, members of several Sikh organisations joined the protest, demanding justice and stronger action against those responsible.
The bandh remained peaceful, with no reports of violence or disruption.
In Kapurthala, too, most shops and businesses stayed closed for the day as people expressed anger and grief over the Pahalgam massacre. Protesters there echoed the call for exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of the attack.
The bandh highlighted growing public outrage across different communities and regions following one of the deadliest terror incidents in recent times.
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