Commuting could be an issue while shops and markets may open late on Tuesday in capital Ranchi and other parts of the state as the ruling JMM-Congress-RJD government has extended full support to the Bharat Bandh called by farmers’ outfits against the new farm laws.
On Tuesday, various political parties staged candlelight demonstrations at Ranchi’s Albert Ekka, appealing to one and all to ensure the success of the bandh.
With chief minister Hemant Soren throwing his weight behind farmers by announcing the JMM’s wholehearted support for Tuesday’s strike, the state police and district administrations are on high alert to ensure maintenance of law and order amid the raging Covid-19 pandemic.
Members of the transport and trade sectors in the state have so far disassociated themselves from the bandh, but many feared that they may be forced to close shops and establishments, given that the government is supporting the bandh.
In Jharkhand, farmers are yet to hit the streets on their own, but the Opposition, mainly Congress and Left parties, have been holding series of protests over the last week against the new farm laws.
Sources said the bandh would not impact industrial units in Jamshedpur and Adityapur in adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan district.
The coal sector has been exempted from the purview of the bandh, hence mining activity is expected to continue unhindered in Dhanbad. But attendance of workers in collieries might be lesser than usual.
Public transport
Jharkhand Bus Owners Association president Krishna Mohan Singh said they will continue with inter and intra-state bus services. “We held a meeting on Monday and decided to continue running buses on Tuesday unless circumstances compel us to halt. Several buses are booked in advance by marriage parties and we can’t cancel them. Moreover, no one has officially approached us to support the bandh. But, if any individual bus owner wants to stay off the road, he is free to do so,” said the head of the association that oversees the service of over 2,000 buses.
Another office-bearer, however, apprehended that services could be disrupted for a few hours in the first half of the day. “Had the Opposition parties called a bandh, we would have expected that the administration would remain strict. But here, ruling parties are supporting bandh, which means even police will be cautious before wielding the stick on any vandals. So, expect lesser buses in the morning,” he said.
In Jamshedpur, however, long-distance bus owners have decided not to ply their vehicles. "We do not want to take a risk though bookings are heavy due to the peak wedding season, " said Upendra Sharma , a senior functionary of Jamshedpur Bus Owners Association.
In Dhanbad, inter-state and local bus services are likely to be affected as a majority of operators have decided not to ply their vehicles on Tuesday. Sunil Singh, joint secretary of the Bus Operators Association, said, “We have decided to not run buses in order to avoid any disturbance.”
City transport
Auto services, considered to be the lifeline for commuting in the city, may also be hit. Dinesh Soni, president of Jharkhand Diesel Auto Chalak Mahasang, said, “Officially, we haven’t issued a bandh call. But auto owners will only hit the road when they feel safe, depending on the situation tomorrow.” Around 8,000 autos, including diesel and petrol variants, serve the district.
In Dhanbad, the first of the day is likely to see little or no transport options available. Although none of the auto unions has come out in support of the bandh, drivers are expected to hit the road only if there is no trouble during the day. Sunil Singh, president of Jharkhand Pariwah Mazdoor Union, said, “The union has not issued any instruction auto operators. We have left it to individual drivers.”
Goods transport
Ranchi Goods Transport Association (RGTA), an umbrella outfit covering seven districts including Ranchi, Gumla and Hazaribagh, is not supporting the bandh, since it is “politically motivated”. It has appealed to the district administration to provide security.
Sunil Chauhan, the spokesperson of the association, said, “Like farmers, traders, transporters and others are severely hit by the Covid-19 lockdown. Hence, we can’t afford to be part of a bandh. We shall continue with transportation of goods and essentials. We appeal to district administrations to ensure our vehicles aren’t vandalised.”
Trade bodies
Federation of Jharkhand of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) has appealed to businessmen to ensure that markets stay open on Tuesday, citing the ongoing marriage season. FJCCI president Kunal Ajmani said traders had already suffered huge losses due to the pandemic. “This is the time for traders to do business. The marriage season is on. Hence, we don’t support the bandh,” he explained, adding that the administration must ensure safety and security of all.
In Jamshedpur, the Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has also decided not to support the bandh. "This is the peak wedding season. The trader community which has already suffered huge losses due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown has therefore decided to stay away from the bandh as it will hamper their earnings, " said Bharat Vasani, general secretary of the trade body.
Sikhs, under the banner of Bada Gurudwara, hold a demonstration to express support to farmers in Dhanbad on Monday. Picture by Shabbir Hussain
Political parties
Congress spokesperson Alok Dubey said their party men would hit the streets since morning to enforce the bandh. They would also stage protests and dharnas across the state.
“Farmers are our country’s backbone. We appeal everyone to stand in solidarity with them. We also appeal to everyone to observe the bandh voluntarily and support our farmers,” said Dubey.
JMM’s general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharjee echoed similar sentiments. “JMM has been against the new farm laws since the beginning and are fully behind farmer’s cause,” he said.
Policing and security
Jharkhand police spokesperson Saket Singh said they were on high alert in view of Tuesday’s bandh. “All districts have been asked to deploy personnel in sensitive areas, like national and state highways and railway tracks, to ensure law and order. Also, a special focus will be on ensuring Covid-19 safety protocols are followed in public places. We will keep an eye on social media too,” he said.
Jamshedpur
The East Singhbhum district administration has beefed up the security apparatus in view of Tuesday’s Bharat Bandh. "Elaborate police deployment will be made in strategic locations for preventing any untoward incident. Apart from city, security will be tightened from midnight in rural and bordering areas too," said Dhalbhum SDO Nitish Kumar.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have also been put on high alert.
Dhanbad
The coal capital is likely to see a marginal impact. Attendance in private and government offices in the coal capital is likely to be thin in view of Tuesday’s bandh.
Transport is likely to be disrupted, at least in the first half of the day.
But train services are not likely to be disrupted as the Dhanbad division of East Central Railway has decided to run all goods and passenger trains as usual. Dhanbad station master Ratnesh Kumar said, “We will run all trains originating or passing through Dhanbad. Necessary preparations have already been made in this regard.”
The coal sector has been exempted from the strike.