Binod prasad
Lohardaga
The Lohardaga Chamber of Commerce has called for a districtwide shutdown and road blockade on Saturday, August 1st, to protest the daylight shooting of Priya Store owner Shubham Sahu and the subsequent spate of criminal incidents in the city. In a press conference held on Friday, Chamber President Ritesh Kumar stated that Thursday was a very sad, painful, and shameful day for Lohardaga. The criminals first attempted to rob Khatri Jewellers in Upper Bazaar at gunpoint, but were thwarted by the shopkeeper’s bravery. Subsequently, the criminals attempted to rob a petrol pump, and when they failed there, they shot and killed Priya Store owner Shubham Sahu. Ritesh Kumar alleged that the police failed to take immediate action after the first incident, emboldening the criminals, who then committed the second major crime. He stated that law and order in the district has completely collapsed, and the business community feels insecure. At the press conference, the Chamber expressed serious concern over the rising crime rates, thefts, road accidents, and drug abuse in the district. Speakers stated that criminals are carrying out their activities with impunity, while ordinary citizens and businesspeople are living in fear. The Chamber of Commerce demanded the administration’s swift arrest of all criminals involved in the Shubham Sahu murder case, strict legal action, and the restoration of effective law and order in the district. They warned that if crime is not curbed and strict action is not taken against the culprits, a more widespread protest, including an indefinite strike, will be launched in the future. Chamber Vice Presidents Pankaj Kumar Jaiswal, Dhananjay Bronzekar, and Executive Members Gupteshwar Gupta, Dharmendra Sinha, and Purushottam Tiwari were present at the press conference.
