Ludhiana: Members of the Dalit community blocked the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway near Jalandhar Bypass Chowk for around five-and-a-half hours on Wednesday, protesting the alleged desecration of Dr BR Ambedkar’s statue.
The protesters blocked the highway at around 10 am, disrupting traffic between Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Ambala, Karnal and Panipat. School buses were also seen caught in the congestion during school dispersal hours.
With traffic movement severely affected, some commuters reportedly crossed the divider and returned home to avoid the blockade.
The Dalit community had also called for a Ludhiana bandh, but markets remained open. Protesters later visited shops and appealed to traders to shut their establishments.
Police barricaded roads around Jalandhar Bypass Chowk to control the situation. ADCP Sameer Verma reached the protest site and assured the demonstrators that the accused would be arrested soon.
Following the assurance, protesters lifted the blockade at around 3.30 pm, restoring traffic movement on the highway.
The protest followed Tuesday’s alleged desecration of Dr Ambedkar’s statue, when unidentified persons reportedly placed a garland of shoes around it.
Jalandhar bandh call for Thursday
Meanwhile, the Valmiki community in Jalandhar has announced a city-wide bandh on Thursday.
Bhagwan Valmiki Shakti Kranti Sena Punjab president Rajiv Gora and Bhim Kranti Sena president Gaurav Valmiki have appealed for the city to remain closed from 9 am to 5 pm.
However, schools, colleges and medical stores providing emergency services will remain open.
