Peaceful shutdown in Gujarat observed on Monday

A day after the Gujarat Government ordered a judicial probe into the death of two adolescent boys at Asaram Ashram at Motera in Gandhinagar, a peaceful bandh so far has been observed across the state Monday.

As per the sources and police, no incidents of violence were reported from any part of the state. However, police had made elaborate security arrangements to avert any kind of mishappening.

The police had cordoned off many sensitive areas, particularly the Asaram Bapu's Ashram in Motera and the residence of the two boys in Nirnaynagar, nearby Ranip and Sabarmati areas.

The bandh was called by the Jagega Gujarat Sangharsh Samiti (JGSS) and supported by the state unit Congress demanding CBI inquiry into the matter. Except Ahmedabad, not much response was observed in other parts of the state. Many schools were kept closed as precautionary measures. Shops and other establishments were remained closed.

The parents, JGSS and opposition Congress party were demanding the Modi government to order CBI probe into the mysterious death of two boys- Abhishek and Dipesh Vaghela. Both were studying at Asaram's gurukul.

The organisers though said the shutdown will not be forced upon any institutions or establishments, but the JGSS Convenor Naresh Shah said, “We expect the people from Gujarat to voluntarily support the bandh to register their protest against the gruesome incident.”

The body of duos were found on the banks of Sabarmati river on July 5 at a few distance from the residential gurukul in Motera.

Both the boys were 11-year-old and used to study at gurukul run by Asaram. People had suspicion regarding the death. They said the boys became victim of some kind of tantrik practice by Asaram or his followers.

Earlier, protest against Asaram on the issue on Guru pornima turned violent and protesters assaulted Asaram followers going to Asaram and inmates of Asaram attacked people in the neighbouring societies. That's why police on Monday beefed up the security nearby Ashram to evade any miscreants.

After increasing protests by the various quarters demanding CBI inquiry into the mysterious death of two boys, the state home department on Sunday announced a judicial probe into the matter to be probed by a judicial panel headed by a retired High Court judge.

On Saturday, the Modi government also ordered inquiry against attack on media people. A day ago, the mob of Ashram inmates had attacked the media people while they were filming shots of them. Cameras and vehicles of the crew were crushed.

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