Shops, markets remain closed across MP's Harda in response to bandh call by Karni Sena

Harda: A near-total shut-down was seen in Madhya Pradesh's Harda district on Saturday in response to a bandh call given by Karni Sena and local Rajput leaders to protest the police action against Karni Sena members last week.

Around 5,000 people took part in a silent protest march here.

Most shops and markets remained closed for the better part of the day.

The protest march started at the Rajput Hostel and passed through the city's main roads before returning to the starting point. Protesters demanded judicial probe and suspension of the police personnel involved in the lathi-charge on July 13.

On July 13, police had used lathi-charge during a protest by Karni Sena members seeking custody of a person arrested for cheating in a diamond-related case. District Karni Sena president Sunil Rajput was arrested and 56 people were detained during a 15-hour road blockade.

Later, police reportedly entered the Rajput Hostel premises and used force against the people gathered there, which further escalated the tension.

Ajay Singh Rajput, president of the Yuva Rajput Parishad, said the police action inside the hostel against "innocent students and youths" was unjustified.

R K Dogne, the local Congress MLA, also criticised the police action.

Radheshyam Chauhan, president of the District Rajput Parishad, alleged that unarmed community members were brutally assaulted on July 13. He demanded judicial inquiry and immediate suspension of those responsible, along with withdrawal of all "false cases".