Bharat Bandh by opposition evokes mixed response in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla, Sep 10 (PTI) The Bharat Bandh called by the Congress Monday against rising fuel prices evoked a mixed response in Himachal Pradesh even as the ruling BJP called it a "flop show".

Many shops were shut till noon in Lower Bazar, Middle Bazar, Ram Bazar and Lakkar Bazar in Shimla.

Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu claimed the bandh was successful as shopkeepers closed their shops to protest against the spiraling prices of petroleum products and other essential commodities.

However, Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar and Industries Minister Bikram Singh Thakur claimed the bandh remained a flop show in the state as the public did not respond to it.

They said the public knew that crude oil prices were very high in the international market and therefore no country in the world was unaffected.

As per reports, some shops and business establishments remained closed in Solan, Chamba, Sirmaur, Dharamshala, Kangra, Palampur, Mandi, Rampur, Kullu, Una, and Hamirpur.