Correspondent, Rajkot

The family members of the youth, who died following collective consumption of poison by 8 youths belonging to Gujarat Gauraksha Ekta Samiti inside the collector office here yesterday against non-acceptance of their demand to declare cow as ‘Rashtramata’ (mother of the nation), today finally accepted his body after assurance by the adminstration regarding their 16 point demand while the bandh call by the outfit evoked mixed response in Saurashtra region.

Police also detained over 150 activists of the less known outfit and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrangdal and Shivsena, which have announced support to the bandh call, across Saurashtra.

One Hindabhai alias Gabhrubhai Lambadiya (Bharvad), age 35 resident Jasdan, also the head of Vishwa Gauvansh Suraksha Samiti who was instrumental in saving thousands of cows from going to butchery, had died in the civil hospital here yesterday following consumption of pesticide with seven of his aides after the expiry of 24 hours ultimatum period to the administration with regard to declaration of cow as Rashtramata and complete ban on sell of beef.

The outfit had given Gujarat bandh call for today which has evoked mixed response in Saurashtra region but almost non-visible in other parts of the state.

The maximum effect was seen in Jasdan,the hometown of the deceased, where markets, shops and other establishments remained closed in spontaneous manner. Police detained around 60 people mostly activists and leaders of Shivsena and Bajrangdal in Morbi near Bhaktinagar circle in A division police station area while they were trying to block the road. Morbi district president of Shivsena Digubha Zala, city head Kamlesh Boria and Bajrangdal president Jignesh Mistry also participated in the demonstration.

Around 20 bandh supporters were detained in Rajkot. An incident of stone pelting on some open shops in Raiya road locality of the city also took place. 35 people were nabbed in Manavadar in Junagadh. Police detained 15 people in Bhavnagar. Bandh supporters closed the shops in Kanva road, M G road, post office road, Danapith, ST bus stand road and other areas in Junagadh while similar scenes were seen in Amreli, Gondal and some other towns.

Earlier, the family members of the deceased had refused to take his body but later agreed on the assurance from the district collector regarding their 16 point demands.

Meanwhile, condition of two others who consumed poison, Dinesh Loriya (42,resident of Morbi) and Raghuvirsinh Jadeja (27, Khiri-Jamnagar) is said to be critical. They have been admitted to a private hospital while the remaining five were in civil hospital.

Opposition Congress today also staged a walk out from the Gujarat assembly on the issue.

– DeshGujarat