Punjab bundh evokes mixed response

Rail and road traffic movement remained normal across the state, even as authorities relaxed curfew in several areas in the violence-hit industrial town.

The Ludhiana district administration relaxed curfew from 5 pm to 8 pm in the jurisdictions of three police stations of Model Town, Sarabha Nagar and Division No 5, Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner, Vikas Garg said.

He said to prevent any fresh violence, the administration had imposed curfew under 18 police stations of the industrial town. Shops, commercial establishments and educational institutions remained closed in many parts of the state, officials said adding that in some areas, including Bathinda and Mandi Gobindgarh, life was normal.

The bundh remained peaceful, as no untoward incident was reported from any part of the state, officials said here. However, Ludhiana wore a deserted look on Monday as the town’s entry points were sealed by the police. Police and paramilitary forces conducted a flag march.