Bhopal: Over 50K Shops Observe Half-Day Bandh Against Pahalgam Attack

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Over 50,000 shops across Bhopal remained closed on Saturday in response to a half-day bandh called by the Bhopal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) to protest against the Pahalgam terror attack.

The bandh saw complete shutdowns in major markets, including grocery, jewellery, clothing, utensils and electronics shops.

According to the BCCI, around 1,300 shops in the New Market area alone remained shut. Markets such as Chowk Bazaar, Itwara, Jumerati, Somwara (Old Bhopal), 10 Number Market and Kolar Market also observed total shutdowns.

However, Bairagarh Market, which usually observes a weekly holiday on Saturday, remained closed as per its regular schedule.

Traders' associations said that the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed lives of innocent citizens, had deeply shaken the trading community.

As a tribute to victims and in solidarity with national efforts against terrorism, trade bodies called for a peaceful bandh in Bhopal.

BCCI spokesman Ajay Devnani said, "There are about 50,000 shops in Bhopal which remained closed till the afternoon as a mark of protest against the Pahalgam terror attack. In New Market alone, 1,300 shops were shut."

Akhil BharatiyaVyaparMahasangh general secretary Anupam Agrawal said, "Over 50,000 shops across all areas of Bhopal were closed as a mark of protest."

Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Bhopal president Dharmendra Sharma said, "Traders kept their shutters down in response to BCCI’s call to protest the Pahalgam terror attack."