PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Oct 29: Normal life came to a standstill in West Singhbhum and parts of Seraikela-Kharsawan on Wednesday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) observed a shutdown to protest the alleged police lathi-charge on tribal demonstrators in Chaibasa.
BJP workers took to the streets early morning, forcing shops in Tambo, Sadar Bazaar, Bus Stand, and Shaheed Park areas to close.
Petrol pumps and business establishments that opened briefly were also shut down by the protesters.
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Road traffic was hit badly, with long-distance buses and heavy vehicles remaining off the roads.
Protesters set tyres ablaze and blocked the National Highway (NH-320D) at Sonua, Jagannathpur, and Chakradharpur, disrupting movement for hours.
The protest, held against police action on tribals demanding relaxation of the “No Entry” rule, witnessed widespread participation.
While emergency services remained operational, commercial activity and transportation were severely affected.
Security forces were deployed across sensitive locations as the administration kept a close watch on the situation.
