CPI(ML)'s Bihar bandh evokes partial response

Patna, Jan 24 (UNI) The dawn-dusk Bihar bandh called by the CPI(ML) protesting against the recent Kahalgaon police firing in Bhagalpur district evoked partial response today.

The bandh had its impact in the areas, under the influence of the CPI(ML), whereas the situation was normal elsewhere.

Sources at the state headquarters said here that life was normal in the capital and other districts as all business establishments remained open and vehicular traffic was normal.

No untoward incident had been reported from any part of the state so far.

Sources said that about 300 agitators, including senior CPI (ML) leader Ramjatan Sharma were arrested and detained at the Gardanibagh stadium. They were taking out a procession from their party office to the Dakbunglow road here.

The demonstrators also blocked the National Highways connecting Darbhanga with Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur. The NH 19, 28 and 37 were also blocked at different places.

Sources further said that the bandh supporters also staged dharna at the railway tracks in Darbhanga, Samastipur and at some places in East Champaran following which the Kamlaganga intercity train and Bihar Sampark Kranti express remained stranded at Lehariasarai railway station for nearly half an hour.

Movement of some passenger trains was also affected at Samastipur, East Champaran and Muzaffarpur.

The sources further said that the state government had made elaborate security arrangements in view of the bandh call and deployed additional security personnel in the CPI(ML) dominated areas.

Earlier,three peple were killed in the police firing in Kahalgaon during an agitation in support of the demand for 24 hours electricity.

Meanwhile, the Opposition had also given a separate 'Bihar bandh' call tomorrow in protest against the police firing.

UNI RS PP SS1445