Shops and commercial units remained closed and public transport was off the roads here on Monday — the day of bi-annual shifting of state government offices to the winter capital from summer capital of Srinagar — in response to a bandh called by Jammu and Kashmir BJP unit.
The BJP has called the bandh, supported by various other organisations, in protest against chief minister Omar Abdullah’s recent statement on Jammu and Kashmir made in the Assembly and the alleged discrimination against Jammu region.
The shifting of the offices, known as the “Darbar move”, is a 135-year-old tradition. The offices, including civil secretariat, Raj Bhawan and offices of the state Legislature, reopened here after their closure in Srinagar on October 30.
Normal life was affected throughout the winter capital with the closure of shops and business establishments and thin attendance in government offices and public undertakings due to non-availability of public transport.
Schools and other educational institutions, by and large, remained closed, official sources said adding that no untoward incident was reported so far.
State BJP chief Shamsher Singh Manhas said Monday’s bandh was called not only to protest Omar’s remarks on the issue of accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India but also to protest "continued discrimination" against Jammu region and its people by the "Kashmir-centric" government.
He said no compensation had been given to anyone in Jammu during the 2008 Amarnath land agitation, while UPA government announced Rs 100 crore package for the Kashmir Valley and Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who died in "stone-pelting and anti-national activities".
The bandh was supported by political and social groups including Panthers’ Party, Jammu State Morcha, Jammu Bar Association and Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries. Reports said that there was partial bandh in towns of Udhampur, R.S. Pura, Kathua and Samba.