Uttarakhand News: Ankita Bhandari case: Bandh largely ineffective as traders step back, security tightened

Security arrangements were tightened across Dehradun and other parts of Uttarakhand following a bandh call over the Ankita Bhandari murder case. Visuals from the ground showed heightened police presence amid protests by various organisations demanding justice for Ankita. However, the bandh remained largely ineffective after trader associations officially withdrew their support. Trader bodies clarified that since the state government has already recommended a CBI probe into the case, there was no justification for continuing with the shutdown. Despite this, several other organisations took to the streets holding banners and raising slogans, insisting that justice is still incomplete and demanding a fair and transparent investigation. Garhwal IG Rajeev Swaroop stated that on the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the case has been forwarded for a CBI investigation through official channels. He reiterated that the investigation so far was conducted transparently, leading to the conviction of the accused based on strong evidence collected by the police. Ground reports indicate that while Sunday being a weekly off kept many shops closed, several establishments remained open to signal opposition to the bandh. Protesters attempted to persuade shopkeepers to shut down, but most refused. Police warned that any attempt to enforce closures or create unrest would invite strict action. The bandh is being viewed as unsuccessful, even as political debates continue around the case ahead of the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly elections.