Bhagalpur bandh against police brutality evokes mixed response

Bhagalpur, Aug 31 (UNI) The CPI(ML) sponsored dawn-to-dusk Bhagalpur bandh in protest against the alleged assault by police on a youth in Nathnagar evoked mixed response here today.

District Magistrate Vipin Kumar said no untoward incident had been reported so far.

He said about 32 CPI(ML) activists were arrested for holding demonstrations on the roads and disrupting traffic.

Elaborate security arrangements were made in view of the bandh, he added.

Besides the district police, Rapid Action Force and Bihar Military Police were deployed in sensitive areas.

He said about 36 special magistrates were also deployed here to maintain law and order.

Earlier, the CPI(ML) activists took out processions and squatted near the railway station following which traffic was disrupted in the busy areas of the town.

Almost all business establishments and private schools remained closed while government offices functioned normally.

Meanwhile, the RJD, which extended moral support to the bandh, demanded dismissal of the Bhagalpur superintendent of police.

President of RJD's Bhagalpur unit Arun Shah said the party would be forced to launch massive agitation if their demands were not met.

Police had allegedly assaulted a youth for snatching a gold chain from a woman.

The NHRC also demanded explanation from the Bihar government and state police and announced that it would send its special team for probing the matter.

Meanwhile, both the police personnel who allegedly assaulted the youth were dismissed.

The National Executive of the CPI had demanded immediate dismissal and arrest of the policemen.

Some private news channels had beamed the video footage of the assault in which the policemen were allegedly seen tying the youth to their motorbike and dragging him on the road.

Earlier, the youth had also been beaten up by a mob which had witnessed him snatching the gold chain.

The leaders of different political parties said police should not perform brutal acts in the name of justice and maintaining law and order.

UNI