Puducherry bandh over rape and murder of 9-year-old: Buses stay off roads, commercial establishments shut

Several parties in Puducherry, including the INDIA bloc and the AIDMK state unit, staged protests to condemn the brutal sexual assault and murder of a young girl. The opposition AIADMK and the INDIA bloc called for a 12-hour bandh, affecting normal life in Puducherry. Two suspects have been arrested, and a special investigation team has been formed. The victim’s family seeks maximum punishment for the culprits.