JAMMU: The day-long Jammu Bandh called today by the AIIMS Coordination Committee to protest the reporting shifting of proposed AIIMS to Kashmir remained peaceful even as Jammu region witnessed a complete shutdown.
The bandh coincided with the one-day visit of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh who was here to address a rally as part of the ongoing 'Jan Kalyan Parav'.
He was greeted by empty roads and closed markers as the city observed a complete shutdown and at several places the home minister was shown black flags.
AIIMS Coordination Committee, an amalgam of more than 70 social, religious, political and business organisations had called for the bandh today and it held protests at several places in the city.
Jammu Bar Association and activists of JKNPP held dharnas at Dogra Chowk here. Effigies of the state and Central governments were also burned. Later, Jammu Bar association also held a protest outside the venue where Home Minister Rajnath Singh was to address the rally.
"The bandh was complete, it was observed 100 per cent throughout the Jammu region, this has sent a message to the state and the central governments that the people of Jammu region are not going to tolerate any injustice with them," Abhinav Sharma, president of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Jammu told.
Markets across Jammu and adjoining districts remained closed with public transport remaining off the roads, though some private vehicles were seen.
Attendance at offices remained minimal while several schools and colleges across the region had already declared a holiday and postponed examinations that were scheduled for today.
"The AIIMS Coordination Committee will have a meeting in the next few days to decide the future course of action," Sharma said.
He said the committee would not hesitate to continue with its struggle unless the rights of Jammu were restored.