Bihar sacks police association chief for indiscipline

On the second day of the agitation, the BPA and the state government appeared unwilling to soften their stands. While the state administration is determined to break the unity of the 18,000 junior police officials, BPA general secretary Jha maintained the strike had crippled the security arrangements in the state. He described his dismissal as an act of desperation.

Jha said the BPA would approach the court against the 8220;draconian8221; orders of the state. He said the support to the strike by the constabulary and the DSPs had unnerved the administration.

DGP K A Jacob maintained that the strike would fizzle out in a few days. 8220;Already, junior police officials in 35 districts have denounced the strike and supported the government. The BPA is losing the support of its members,8221; he said. Jacob said more than 300 officials had been suspended for not reporting to work.

Jha conceded that in some district towns, officials who were earning handsome amounts were reluctant to join the strike. He put their number as 8220;insignificant8221;.

The state CPI has urged the government to negotiate and end the strike at the earliest without taking punitive actions against the BPA leaders. The party said the law and order situation in Bihar would worsen if the strike continued.