Opposition calls for "Bihar Bandh" tomorrow

Patna, Nov 1 (UNI) Almost all the Opposition parties in Bihar have called a 12-hour statewide bandh tomorrow to protest today's alleged assault on scribes by JD(U) MLA Anant Singh.

The incident occurred when Mr Singh was approached by the media persons for comments on his suspected involvement in the killing of a girl, whose body was recovered here earlier during the day.

In separate statements here, almost the entire Opposition condemned the assault and called for "Bihar Bandh" with an appeal to all to save the fourth pillar of democracy from the onslaught of criminal elements under the alleged patronage of the NDA government.

Former Bihar Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Rabri Devi announced that the RJD would enforce bandh throughtout the state to protest the attack.

" The law and order situation in Bihar during the Nitish Kumar regime has touched rockbottom and even the journalists are not being spared by the goons enjoying patronage of the NDA government, " she averred and said such incident bore an ample testimony to the fact that "anarchy-like" situation was prevailing in Bihar.

The LJP had also separately called for "Bihar Bandh" tomorrow to protest the attack on journalists.

State party spokesman Sanjay Singh demanded suspension of the security guards provided to Mr Singh for their involvent in the assault of scribes.

He questioned on what ground Mr Singh was still being provided with security while he had "misused" the guards to engineer crimes and unleash terror in the society.

The CPI(ML) apart from bandh call would also take out protest march throughout the state tomorrow.

The Congress and the CPI had announced to support the bandh call.

Leader of the Legislative party of the Congress in the House Ashok Kumar and state secretary of CPI Badri Narain Lal condemned the incident and described it as a blot on democracy and announced to support the bandh.

UNI