Mixed response to bandh call in Bihar

Patna, Dec 14 (UNI) The 24-hour nationwide strike sponsored by different trade unions affiliated to Left parties to protest against the UPA government's industrial policy, evoked a mixed respose in Bihar as banking and train services were affected.

Besides the employees of various nationalised banks, staffs of regional rural banks (RRB) also participated in the strike.

General secretary of All India Gramin Bank Employees' and Officers' Association D N Trivedi, in a stement said their protest was against outsourcing of banks' jobs, ban on recruitment,disparity in payment of pension, allowances and other benefits.

In the event of failure of the government to concede the demands, they would again go on strike on January 5, he threatened.

Reports pouring in from different parts of the state said that work in insurance offices was also badly hit.

Sources in the railway headquarters said that several trains remained stranded at different stations and a majority of the trains were plying behind schedule.

General secretary of Bihar Provincial Bank Employees' Association P D Singh claimed that all Bank branches remained closed in the state and in Jharkhand.

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