Jharkhand bandh evokes mixed response, 6 injured in group clash

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

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

At least six people were injured in group clashes when bandh supporters tried to forcibly close down 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.

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

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

In the state capital Ranchi, the bandh was total so far with no reports of untoward incidents. 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