Dumka, Oct. 21: A majority of the areas in Santhal Pargana was hit by the statewide bandh call given by Sadan Vikas Parishad and Sanyuktya Sangharsh Sadan Morcha in protest against the state’s decision to hold the panchayat elections under the provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act.

Sadan (non-tribal) leaders, including former minister of undivided Bihar Kamlakant Prasad Sinha, led supporters on a round of Dumka, convincing petty businessmen to close their shops in support of the bandh.

Four of the six districts of Santhal Pargana — Dumka, Jamtara, Pakur and Sahibganj — were worst affected, as business establishments were shut down and road transportation was negligible, except for private vehicles plying occasionally.

In Dumka, the business community downed their shutters to protest the reservation of posts under the panchayati raj system, such as mukhiya and chairman of the district board, in favour of Scheduled Tribes candidates.

The supporters, who prevented the entry of the employees and customers, disrupted the functions of banks, post offices and other government establishments. Road transport was hit badly, with buses keeping off the road.

According to sources, normal life came to a standstill both at the district and block headquarters of Pakur. Unlike previous occasions when there had been bandh calls, the Hiranpur weekly haat too was not held today.

In Jamtara and Sahibganj districts, urban areas were mostly affected by the daylong bandh. However, normal activities were seen in block areas.

The bandh, however, failed to have a perceivable impact in Deoghar and Godda districts. The locals were relatively unconcerned, as all the blocks under Deoghar comprise non-scheduled areas, which renders PESA inapplicable.

In Godda, only two blocks — Sunderpahari and Boarijore — are categorised as scheduled areas. Today’s bandh did not have an impact in any part of the district.

No untoward incidents were reported from Santhal Parganas.