A bandh called by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and supported by several organisations to protest the murder of Himanshu Singh disrupted normal life in parts of Jamshedpur and adjoining Adityapur on Friday. Many commercial establishments remained closed, and heavy police deployment kept the situation largely peaceful.
The district administration enforced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in six police station areas and deployed additional security personnel at key locations. Police detained more than 40 BJP leaders and workers, including Adityapur Municipal Corporation Mayor Sanjay Sardar, after they allegedly attempted to block roads during the bandh. Officials said vehicular movement remained largely unaffected and no major law and order incident was reported.
Several private schools suspended classes as a precaution, while public transport services operated with police monitoring. Markets witnessed a mixed response, with many shops remaining shut voluntarily.
Addressing a press conference in Ranchi, BJP state general secretary Amar Kumar Bauri claimed the bandh received overwhelming public support and reflected widespread public anger over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
He alleged that the government was attempting to divert attention from the murder instead of ensuring strict action against those responsible. Bauri also reiterated the party’s demand for criminal proceedings against police personnel who were present when the incident took place, alleging their failure to act contributed to the victim’s death.
Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy, who appealed for the shutdown, said the bandh intended to press the administration to arrest the remaining absconding accused and should not be viewed as a protest against the state government. He urged traders to support the bandh voluntarily while keeping essential services, including hospitals, pharmacies, banks, public utilities and emergency services, outside its ambit.
BJP MP Bidyut Baran Mahato, who participated in the protest, alleged that the murder created fear among residents and claimed police failed to curb rising crime in the city. He said the party would intensify its agitation if the law and order situation did not improve.
Senior district officials maintained that adequate security arrangements had been made to ensure peace during the bandh. Sub-Divisional Officer Arnab Mishra said prohibitory orders had been imposed to prevent any unlawful assembly or violence and warned that action would be taken against anyone violating the law.
The bandh was called in protest against the recent murder of Himanshu Singh, who was allegedly attacked in Jamshedpur despite the presence of police personnel. The incident triggered widespread outrage and political criticism, with the state government subsequently initiating administrative action against senior police officials. The investigation into the case is continuing.