Jharkhand bandh evokes mixed, 6 injured in group clash

Ranchi, Nov 26 (UNI) The statewide 24-hour bandh, called by different student and political organisations in Jharkhand protesting Saturday's death of a tribal in Assam, disrupted life here and in Kolhan division area today.

It, however, evoked mixed response in rest of the state.

About six persons were injured in group clashes when bandh supporters tried to forcibly close markets at Dhatkidih in East Singhbhum area, official sources said.

Significantly the Santhal Paragana, comprising mainly Dumka, Deogarh, Pakur, Sahebganj, Godda and Jamtara did not respond fully to the bandh.

But life was thrown out gear in Kolhan division comprising East and West Singbhum and Saraikela Kharsawan districts.

Report from Jamshedpur said the bandh halted business activities and long distance traffic. Educational institutions and offices functioned with lean attendance.

In the state capital, the bandh was total so far with no untoward incident reported from anywhere. Business establishments and educational institutions remained closed while post offices and some banks were open.

Bokaro and Latehar districts also responded fully to the bandh, reports reaching here said.

The bandh's impact was hardly seen in districts like Hazaribag, Giridih, Koderma, Dumka, Daltonganj, Chatra, Garwah, Lohardaga and Dhanbad.

Educational institutions and offices functioned normally in those districts, reports said adding only long distance traffic was affected at a few places.

At least one adivasi was killed and over 280 were injured in a brutal attack on adivasi protestors by locals, after the protestors turned violent when they were blocked from gheraoing the state Assembly in Guwahati.

Adivasi Chatra Sangh, Jharkhand Disum Party, AJSU, ABVP, VHP, Bajrang Dal and Durga Bahini called today's bandh which was supported by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Jharkhand Janadhikar Manch, JD(U), BJP and Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (Democratic).

UNI TEAM PRS-AM PL RD 1459 ========================== ED DELHI Ref to Rh 1 slugged AGITATION-JHARKHAND-BANDH Drop of the same not seen. May kindly be repeated to us.

Rgds, PRS, Ranchi, 1615 hrs