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New Delhi: A nationwide shutdown called by the BJP and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) disrupted normal life in large parts of the country.
Stray incidents of violence were reported from across the country. In Bhopal, four persons – allegedly Bajrang Dal activists - were detained for pelting stones at an outlet of Reliance Fresh retail.
All markets were shut in Bhopal and bandh supporters stopped the Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi express at Agra.
BJP workers also blocked the Delhi-Amritsar highway at Shambhu Barrier and the Delhi-Noida-Delhi flyover in Delhi.
BJP supporters blocked the Western Express Highway in Mumbai and forced some schools to down shutters in Ahmedabad.
In Jammu, curfew continued for the second day and pilgrims to the Vaishno Devi Shrine were among those stranded.
The BJP and the VHP are protesting the Jammu and Kashmir government's order revoking the transfer of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board.
“The Congress is refusing to give land to Amarnath shrine board, merely for vote bank politics,” alleged BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu.
Mumbai: Stone-pelting reported, shops shut
Incidents of stone pelting and road blockades were reported in various parts of the financial capital.
Protesters suspected to be from the VHP today pelted buses with stones in suburban Kandivili damaging five BEST buses, police said.
Hundreds of VHP supporters blocked important arterial roads at Vakola, Malad and Borivili in northwest Mumbai and in the northeast suburb of Ghatkopar that caused difficulties to officegoers in reaching their workplaces, they said.
The police have, however, dispersed the crowd and ensured a smooth traffic flow. Nobody was reported injured in the incidents of stone pelting and road blockades, police said.
The VHP and the BJP had yesterday called for a nationwide bandh protesting against the Jammu and Kashmir government's decision to revoke proposed grant of land to Amarnath shrine board.
In Thane, members of right wing Hindu organisation were moving around the city since morning with flags in their hands forcing shop owners to down shutters.
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The activists also disrupted traffic at some places by putting blockades on roads.
Meanwhile, at least three activists have been arrested in connection with the incidents in Naupada, they said.
Sporadic incidents of stone pelting were also reported from Kalyan, Dombivili and other parts of the district.
No report of anybody getting injured during the incidents was received.
The VHP is observing nation wide bandh today to protest against the Jammu and Kashmir government's decision to revoke proposed grant of land to Amarnath Shrine Board
Nagpur: Buses off roads
State transport authorities on Thursday withdrew buses plying on various routes in the city after some persons pelted the buses with stones during the VHP bandh call.
Incidents of stone pelting were reported from Dighori and few places in south and eastern part of the city, said police.
Some activists damaged about eight buses late last night in eastern part of city, they said.
Shops, business establishments and educational institutions were closed in most parts.
Some arrests have also been made but police declined to give exact figure of arrests and percentage of shut down.
It will be too early to comment on the response to the bandh, a senior police officer said.
Pilgrims make progress
Meanwhile, a batch of 2,081 pilgrims left here for the Amarnath cave shrine, braving curfew and blockades at several places along the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
The batch comprising 387 women and 46 children, left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here around 0515 hours on Thursday and are being escorted by CRPF personnel, officials told PTI.
The cavalcade carrying the pilgrims crossed Batote on the highway and were expected to reach Pahalgam and Baltal base camps in Kashmir valley by evening.
A total of 36,363 pilgrims have so far left the base camp here to the Lord Shiva temple since commencement of the pilgrimage on June 17.
The yatra was suspended four times due to bad weather and heavy rush of pilgrims on June 20, 25, 27 and 29.
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