Violence erupts during Bihar bandh

Patna, Oct 25 (UNI) Agitated students resorted to largescale violence in various parts of Bihar today as the CPI(ML) sponsored 24-hour statewide bandh evoked partial response.

Official reports said about 1000 annoyed students, shouting anti-MNS slogans, ransacked the Darbhanga Railway station at about 1100 hours and damaged the station master's office, ticket counters and platform sheds.

They also tried to set afire railway property but timely intervention by police prevented them from doing so.

The police also resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the students as they pelted stones on them. Ten students were taken into custody on charge of resorting to violence and damaging public property and four were also reportedly injured in the violence.

Earlier, at Donar Chawk, the students prevented the Darbhanga-New Delhi 'Samparkh Kranti Express' from proceeding further.

Reports from Betiah in West Champaran district said the Delhi-Muzaffarpur 'Saptkanti express' was attacked and stoned by raging students as it reached Narkatiaganj station, forcing the police to ward them off by using batons. However, no one was injured in the incident.

At Sekhpura, about 40 km from here, agitated students vandalised the Palia station and damaged huge railway property. The situation was, however, brought under control by the police later. Five students were also arrested in this connection.

MORE UNI ABA PL GL GC1256