Opposition holds meeting for success of bandh tomorrow

Patna, Nov 1 (UNI) Concerned over assault on scribes by JD(U) MLA Anant Singh, the entire Opposition today showed their solidarity by calling a dawn-to-dusk ''Bihar Bandh'' tomorrow.

The decision was taken in an emergency meeting of the entire Opposition parties held here during the day. The meeting was chaired by Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Rabri Devi, during which strategies were chalked out for tomorrow's bandh.

After the meeting, RJD state president Abdul Bari Siddiqui said emergency services had been exempted from the purview of the bandh for the convenience of the people.

The meeting was attended by Congress Legislature party leader Ashok Kumar, CPI(M) leader Subodh Rai, LJP MLA Dularchand Yadav, Samta party leader P K Sinha, BSP leader Ramchandra Yadav and CPI state secretary Badri Narayan Lal, Mr Siddiqui informed.

Later, Ms Rabri Devi exhorted other political parties to support the bandh to protect the rights of the fourth estate and in the process the nation's democracy.

Railway Minister and RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad was likely to visit the state tonight.

Meanwhile, Singh's supporters also attacked mediapersons, who gathered near the Beur Central Jail, when he was being taken there on a court order. Activists supporting the JD(U) MLA pelted stones at the scribes and damaged lenses of some camerapersons.

Meanhwile, two security guards of the JD(U) MLA, who had been made named accused in the FIR, were put under suspension.

Eds: Pls pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI