The Jharkhand High Court order, asking the state and the Central governments to compensate victims for properties damaged during bandhs called by them, has attracted mixed response from political parties.While the BJP and Samata Party have welcomed the verdict, the RJD, JMM, CPI and the CPI(ML) have criticised it. ‘‘As it infringes upon our right to voice protest against injustice, we are going to challenge the court’s ruling in the Supreme Court,’’ said Leader of Opposition Stephen Marandi.BJP state unit president Abhay Kant Prasad, on the other hand, said: ‘‘We welcome the court’s judgment.’’ In the state, about a dozen bandhs are called every year by both Naxalite and non-Naxalite political outfits. So far, 10 bandhs have been observed this year, called by the PWG, MCC, JMM, CPI and the CPI(ML). High court advocate Shailesh Singh lodged a complaint when JMM supporters damaged his car during a bandh on August 21. He also filed a contempt petition against the Centre, the Chief Secretary, the DGP, the DC and the SSP of Ranchi. While the court dismissed the contempt plea, it asked the Centre and bandh organisers to pay for the damages.
