Total bandh in Sitamarhi to protest firing

SITAMARHI (BIHAR), Aug 13: The dawn-to-dusk Sitamarhi bandh jointly called by the BJP and its electoral ally, Samata Party, passed off pe...

SITAMARHI (BIHAR), Aug 13: The dawn-to-dusk Sitamarhi bandh jointly called by the BJP and its electoral ally, Samata Party, passed off peacefully today amid tight security bringing normal life to a halt.

The bandh was called to protest against Tuesday’s police firing on Janata Dal supporters.

Major shops and business establishments downed their shutters. Vehicular traffic however, plied in depleted numbers, official sources said.

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Hundreds of BJP-Samata supporters squatted on the tracks at Sitamarhi railway station to disrupt services, sources said.

Over 30 persons were arrested for allegedly defying prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC promulgated by the district administration during the bandh.

The CPI-M had also given a separate call for the bandh in the township today.

At least four persons, including a former MLA and veteran socialist leader, Ramcharitra Rai, were killed and scores of others injured in police firing and lathi charge when the JD supporter protesting against the "scanty"relief material being provided to the flood-hit people, went on the rampage and ransacked the district collectorate here.

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The BJP has also called a bandh in entire north Bihar on August 18 to protest against what it termed as "uncalled for and provoked" firing on the Dal supporters.

Meanwhile, Janata Dal national president Sharad Yadav along with several party leaders today launched an indefinite dharna here to protest against the police firing.

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