A bandh supporter tries to stop an autorickshaw near the Kali Temple in Ranchi on Tuesday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Nov. 25: The dawn-to-dusk Ranchi bandh called by the BJP’s state unit in protest against the murder of party vice-president Om Prakash Upadhayay evoked a mixed response in the state capital today.

Majority of business establishments remained closed on the Main Road while government offices and banks opened for business as usual.

BJP workers, including members of its women’s wing, turned violent at Albert Ekka Chowk. They scuffled with policemen on duty, but no one sustained serious injuries in the incident.

Bandh enforcers agitated at a few more places. At the Kali Temple, some party supporters had a brawl with autorickshaw drivers who had dared to defy the bandh. However, the situation was brought under control by local residents even before the police intervened.

Though autorickshaws were noticed on the road, its number was limited.

While the Main Road bore a deserted look, alleys and smaller lanes were chock a bloc with people.

Inter-state bus, train and flight schedules were not disrupted by today’s bandh. DAV, DPS and Saraswati Vidya Mandir were open today and their buses were seen on the road, but smaller institutions were either closed or their bus services were discontinued fearing disruptions.

Senior police superintendent of police M.S. Bhatia confirmed that over 150 BJP workers were arrested from different parts of the city and were released by the evening. “Those who courted arrest were kept for a brief while at the Birsa Munda Stadium that was turned into a camp jail today,” he said.

“We did not face problem in maintaining the law and order situation in the city,” he added.

On the other hand, BJP district president Gama Singh claimed that the bandh was successful. “Our motive was not to disturb the residents but to send a message to the district administration that has failed to provide safety to its people. We were successful in sending out a strong message to the state government,” he said.

More than 500 BJP workers today hit the road where they, he added, spoke to the people regarding the deteriorating law and order situation.

Some unidentified men shot Upadhayay dead on November 21 while he was returning home from the party office near the Swarnrekha in Hatia on his motorbike.

A youth, Manmohan Mishra, who was a pillion rider, also sustained injury in the incident.

Police have detained three persons for interrogation in the case, but, so far, have not made much progress. Upadhayay was also a land contractor who also supplied bedrolls to the Indian Railways.