Rishikesh resort murder: U’khand bandh call by Oppn, social groups sees mixed response

Opposition parties and several social organisations on Sunday called a state-wide bandh in Uttarakhand over the Rishikesh resort murder case, which evoked a mixed response. Cities such as Haridwar and Mussoorie were largely unaffected, while markets in Pauri, Chamoli, Tehri and Rudraprayag remained closed.Although chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has already recommended a CBI probe into the ‘mysterious VIP' linked to the 2022 murder of a 19-year-old receptionist at a Rishikesh resort owned by a BJP leader's son, the organisations remain adamant that the investigation be conducted under the supervision of a sitting Supreme Court judge, as sought by the victim's parents. They also demanded that the probe's scope be widened to cover all unexplained aspects of the case.In Dehradun, a rally was flagged off from Gandhi Park and marched through the city. "Most trade associations supported us. A few shops that were open were requested to close as a show of solidarity, and many complied. In the Garhwal hills, the bandh was very effective," said Mohit Dimri of Mool Niwas Sangharsh Samiti, which is leading the agitation. He added that more protests would be held in the coming days to "sustain public pressure and keep the investigation on track."In Bageshwar, despite the town observing its routine weekly closure, many traders extended support to the bandh. Sangharsh Vahini Bageshwar president Kavi Joshi said, "The shutdown saw complete compliance across the town. Although markets in Bageshwar generally remain closed on Sundays, shops usually open due to the ongoing Uttarayani fair. However, most establishments remained shut on Sunday in support of the bandh."In Almora, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) organised protests at several locations. Party workers demonstrated at Chaughanpata and at Gandhi Park, seeking strict punishment for those responsible. In Haridwar district, the bandh appeared largely ineffective. However, senior Congress leaders offered prayers at Har ki Pauri for the victim. Mussoorie also saw no visible impact of the bandh.In Uttarkashi, Congress district president Pradeep Singh Rawat led party workers in shutting down the town market and taking out a march demanding justice for the victim, while raising anti-BJP slogans.The protesters demanded strict action based on the FIR filed by the victim's father, and said that the culprits involved, including the alleged VIP, must not be allowed to escape punishment.In Roorkee, markets remained open as usual, but Congress and several social groups organised foot marches, burnt effigies and submitted a memorandum to the SDM demanding the imposition of President's Rule in Uttarakhand. The case gained renewed political traction last month after audio and video clips allegedly released by Haridwar-based actor Urmila Sanawar circulated online. In the clips, expelled former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore can purportedly be heard referring to a "VIP", whom he alleged was BJP national general secretary and Uttarakhand in-charge Dushyant Gautam. Gautam has strongly denied the allegations and filed defamation cases against the couple.(With inputs from Tanmayee Tyagi in Dehradun, Yogesh Nagarkoti in Almora, Ashish Mishra in Uttarkashi and Tapan Susheel in Roorkee)