Maoist bandh evokes lukewarm response in J'khand

Ranchi, Feb 21 (UNI) The CPI(Maoist)-sponsored 24-hour ''Jharkhand bandh'' in protest against the killing of their cadres in East Singhbhum district last month, today evoked lukewarm response.

Official sources said high alert was sounded and special directions were issued to the Suprintendents of Police across the state in the wake of the bandh which began at midnight last night.

However, no untoward incident was reported till this evening.

In the state capital road traffic was thin whereas schools and other institutions remained open.

In Jamshedpur, the bandh failed to have any impact and vehicluar movement was usual.

Report from Koderma said that long route buses did not ply whereas escort was provided to the trains passing through the area.

In Palamu a special task force was formed to counter any untoward incident and escort was provided to buses coming here.

The commercial vehicles remained stranded and loading of bauxite was disrupted in mineral rich Loherdagga district.

Besides, special vigil was maintained in naxal dominated Latehar, Palamu, Chatra, Giridih and Simdega districts, police said.

Few passenger trains were cancelled and routes of several express trains were diverted at the Barwadih section.

Eight maoists were killed in an encounter with police and Nagrik Suraksha Samittee at Bhitaramda village under Dumaria police station on January 13.

UNI TEAM AM KK DB1951