CPI (Maoist) bandh peaceful so far in Bihar

Patna, Oct 14 (UNI) The 24-hour Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa bandh called by the CPI (Maoist), in protest against the recent arrest of three of their activists, remained peaceful here.

Official sources today said that the bandh was so far ''peaceful and incident free.'' Security had been tightened in the extremists dominated areas, where vehicular traffic remained normal during the day. Business establishments and educational institutions remained open despite the bandh call by the Maoists in the state.

Sources at the railway headquarters said special vigil has been maintained in the railways. The security personnel kept hawks eye on the railway tracks and its other properties in the sensitive pockets.

Meanwhile, a report from Gaya, quoting Gaya railway station manager Sandeep Kumar, said the route of Hatiya-Delhi 2847 Down Swarn Jayanti Express had been diverted while 4347 down Palamu Express was cancelled in view of the bandh call.

Sources said security personnel would maintain extra vigil in the extremists-affected areas tonight.

Earlier as per a release of the outfit, Orissa and Jharkhand police had arrested one female activist, Sheela Devi, from Ramjori village in Sundergarh district in Orissa on October 7 and sent her Rourkela along with two other activists.

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