Alert in Bihar as Maoist bandh begins from midnight

He said patrolling has been intensified in vulnerable pockets in Patna,Gaya,Jehanabad,Nawada,Aurangabad,Kaimur,Rohtas,Banka,Munger,Lakhisarai and Jamui districts. Patrolling of railway tracks,the often soft target of Naxalite attacks,has been heightened. CRPF contingents have been deployed at Taregna in

Naxalite-hit Masaurhi sub-division of Patna district where thousands of people,including foreign scientists and eclipse chasers,are gathering to view the full solar eclipse tomorrow. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is also scheduled to view the celestial spectacle at Taregna where Aryabhatta,the ancient astronomer-mathematician had an observatory.