Bihar: Protesting Home Guards halt trains, block roads

Patna, May 20: Thousands of protesting Home Guard personnel in Bihar forcibly halted dozens of trains and blocked major roads on Wednesday to protest the state government's failure to fulfil their demands.

The Home Guards have been protesting to press the Bihar government into meeting their demands which include a pay hike and insurance cover.

"Trains were halted at Patna, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, Jehanabad, Munger, Jamui, Ara, Gaya, Supaul and other railway stations by the protestors to enforce their 'chakka jam' today (May 20)," a police official said.

Roads, including National Highways 83, 110 and 98, were also blocked.

Bihar Homeguards Volunteers Association leader Sidheshwar Prasad told media here that they would intensify their protest from Thursday and launch "jail bharo andolan".

"Our successful chakka jam will be followed by jail bharo andolan," he said. Last week, over 70,000 Home Guard personnel in Bihar began an indefinite strike.

National Highways 83, 110 and 98, were also blocked by the personnel

The home guards are demanding increase in pay, accidental coverage during duty and post-retirement benefits from the Bihar government.

Association president Arun Kumar Thakur said they will not end their stir until the government fulfils their demands.

The home guard personnel have been petitioning the state government for the last few years to fulfill their demands.

According to state home department officials, the Home Guard personnel are deployed for traffic regulation, in banks, jail and police stations and at residences.

IANS