Bandh in many parts of state against Pahalgam attack, Muslims join protest

Ranchi: Several areas of the state, including Ranchi and Hazaribag, witnessed widespread closure of businesses on Friday as citizens protested against the recent terror attack at Pahalgam in Kashmir.In Ranchi's Hatia area, business establishments remained closed from 8 am to 12 pm with traders and locals expressing outrage against the attack. The usually bustling streets of Hatia wore a deserted look during the bandh. Similar protests were organised in Gumla and Hazaribag by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal.In a show of unity, members of the Islamic community in Ranchi also joined the protests, offering their Friday prayers wearing black ribbons on their arms as a symbol of mourning and condemnation.Protestors demanded immediate action from the govt in response to the terror attack. Satish Munda, a shopkeeper in Hatia, said, "Tuesday's terror attack on civilians by Islamic terrorists was a cowardly act and we condemn it. We appeal to the Union govt and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take stringent action to ensure that the perpetrators are punished."In Ranchi, members of various organisations, including VHP and Bajrang Dal, took to the streets in large numbers. The protesters marched from Shahid Chowk to Albert Ekka Chowk, carrying national and saffron flags. The air was filled with anti-Pakistan slogans and calls to end Islamic terrorism and attacks on Hindus.At Albert Ekka Chowk, protesters burned effigies of Pakistani terrorists and Pakistan's national flag while chanting ‘Pakistan Murdabad' and ‘Stop Islamic terrorism'.Some demonstrators, dressed in white, lay on the street to symbolize the victims of the terror attack. Bhairav Singh, a protestor, emphasized their determination to seek justice. "This is the most cowardly act orchestrated by Pakistan. The terrorists asked the victims' religion before shooting them, ensuring the victims were not Muslims. Such attacks on Hindus anywhere in the world cannot be tolerated and we are ready to give a fitting reply," he said.Speaking to TOI, VHP Ranchi unit secretary Rajesh Agarwal condemned the attack and demanded justice for the victims. "We must teach Pakistan and the terrorists a lesson so that they never dare to commit such acts again," Agarwal said.