Kotkhai rape: Bandh brings life to a halt in Shimla

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 20

The Shimla bandh call given by the BJP to protest the Kotkhai minor girl rape and murder case and a subsequent custodial death of an accused in police lock-up on Thursday evoked massive response.

The entry and exit point of Shimla were virtually blocked as BJP workers sat on a dharna at the Victory Tunnel while the road from Dhalli to Sanjauli was blocked by hundreds of residents from Chopal.

BJP MLA and former party president Suresh Bhardwaj accused the police and the state government of shielding the “real culprits”.

Also read: Custody death, Kotkhai on boil

He said the custodial death of the accused, Suraj, has raised serious doubts about the functioning of the police.

All shops were closed and the supply of daily-need commodities like milk and bread was hit causing inconvenience to the locals.

The BJP has announced to take out a procession and gherao the state secretariat, besides submitting a memorandum to the Governor demanding President's rule in the state.

The buses were off the road and parked on the roadside, however, a few private vehicles were spotted plying.

The protestors also blocked the Hindustan-Tibet National Highway at Theog, 32 km from here.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people, belonging to Beopar Mandal, social organisation, employees gathered at the DC office to express solidarity with the family of the minor rape victim. The protestors would march towards Raj Bhavan to express their anger over the issue.

The police have been deployed in strength to avoid any untoward incident.