Ranchi, Sep 1 (ANI): Bringing life to a virtual standstill, Maoist ultras called for a total shutdown in Ranchi on Thursday to protest the ongoing police crackdown on the violent insurgency in the strife-ridden region.
Aiming to create a fear psychosis, the Maoists yet again targeted public services such as transport and schools, using shutdown as a means to paralyse normalcy in the region.
As a result, buses remained off the roads throughout the day, affecting local commuters-many of whom travel long distances daily to earn their wages.
At several bus depots, locals were seen running from pillar to post searching for alternative means of transport.
Voicing his ire at the Maoists, supervisor of one of the depots, K.K. Verma, explained the difficulties faced by locals during such shutdowns.
"The shutdown has had an adverse impact here. All transport in this area has been stopped and there is virtually no vehicular movement. Local commuters have been forced to return due to the shutdown. What else can they do, when none of the modes of transport are operational?" Verma said.
This particular shutdown call was given as a mark of protest against the anti-Maoist offensive launched jointly by the state police in the Saranda forest range of Jharkhand.
Meanwhile, the city's train service was also deeply affected by the shutdown.
Hundreds of commuters were stranded at Ranchi's main railway station, with most trains either being cancelled or running late by several hours.
Fearing for their lives, many local commuters said they were 'scared' by the Maoists' growing clout.
"We are all very scared. Everyone is wary of the ever-present threat to life and property. Anyone can be attacked, even innocent people," said Kumar. (ANI)
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