Ludhiana, Sep 9 (PTI) Unidentified persons allegedly desecrated a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar at Jalandhar Bypass Chowk here, prompting various Valmiki organisations to call for a Ludhiana bandh on Wednesday, police said.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening and sparked anger among members of the Valmiki community.
Heavy police deployment was made at several places in Ludhiana following the bandh call.
Members of various Valmiki organisations staged a dharna near the statue and blocked a stretch of the National Highway 44 at Jalandhar Bypass on Wednesday.
The blockade severely affected traffic movement towards Delhi and Jalandhar, with long queues of trucks, buses, cars and other vehicles forming on both sides of the highway.
Commuters were left
stranded and faced inconvenience due to the blockade.
A truck driver said he was on his way to deliver goods to a factory but got stuck in the traffic, while a bus passenger travelling to Amritsar said he was waiting for the blockade to be lifted.
Police said efforts were underway to identify and arrest those responsible and appealed to people to maintain peace. PTI COR CHS MDO MDO
