Maoists observe Magadh bandh to protest killing of their cadres

Maoists in Bihar are observing a one day Magadh Bandh (shutdown) today to protest against the killing of six of their cadres in an encounter with security forces in July this year.

The shutdown began at 12 a.m. on the intervening night of August 30 and 31.

Five districts including Gaya, Aurangabad, Jahanabad, Nawada and Arwal are likely to be affected by the shutdown call.

In view of the call, police and paramilitary forces have intensified security in Maoist-infested areas.

The encounter between the security forces and Maoists took place in the Dumaria Nala forest area in Aurangabad district on July 18.

In this encounter, 10 commandos of the elite COBRA battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed.

The CRPF eliminated six Maoists and seized weapons like AK-47 and INSAS rifles.