India, Sept. 10 -- Markets and shops remained closed in Punjab's Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar cities on Thursday following a bandh call by Valmiki and Dalit organisations to protest the alleged desecration of Dr B R Ambedkar's statue at Jalandhar Bypass Chowk in Ludhiana.

The bandh was observed from 9 am to 5 pm, with shops and business establishments remaining shut in both cities. Essential and emergency services, including hospitals and chemist shops, continued to function.

A seven-hour bandh was observed in Ludhiana on Wednesday following the alleged incident.

In Hoshiarpur, workers of Valmiki and Dalit organisations gathered at the Clock Tower and took out a protest march through the city's bazaars. They raised slogans against the alle...