ABVP observes 'black day' in Bihar

Patna, Aug 6 (UNI) The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad today observed 'black day' in the state protesting yesterdays lathicharge on students agitating against the governments 'failure' to end the indefinite strike in universities.

The students took out a silent procession from Patna University to Kargil Chowk here.

Addressing the students ABVP state unit secretary Nikhil Ranjan said the career of the students was jeopardised by the ongoing indefinite strike of the teaching and non teaching staff in different universities of the state.

He also threatened to launch statewide agitation in case the government failed to end the indefinite strike.

Condemning yesterdays lathicharge he described it as 'unfortunate' as the students were demanding an end to the indefinite strike. They were lathicharged in front of the state education minister.

He also demanded immediate removal of the minister for his 'failure' in resolving the issue and announced to boycott all his meetings.

Concerned over the government 'negligence', Mr Ranjan said the students, under the banner of other organisations, also observed 'black day' across the state. The ABVP was coordinating with other student organisations to intensify the movement.

He said though Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi had started their political career with the students agitation of 1974, they are dividing the student oraganisations to fulfil their "vested interest".

Meanwhile, ABVP national president Ramesh Singh arrived here today to monitor the agitation and decide their future course of action.

The ABVP members were lathicharged and seven of them were detained by the police yesterday.

RJD's student wing had also organised a symbolic 'pathshala' (school) yesterday in front of the Raj Bhavan with a message that the students were left with no option than to hold their class near it as teaching in the universities and colleges was paralysed. Later, the security personnel chased them away.

The university and college staff are on indefinite strike for over 40 days in support of their demands relating to salary.

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