Govt talks tough as Home Guard agitation paralyses Bihar

Bihar government today talked tough after two patients lost their lives as 53,000 Home Guards disrupted rail and road traffic across the state during their day-long 'chakka jam' agitation, as part of their indefinite strike since May 15.
The two patients reportedly died after the ambulances ferrying them to hospitals got stuck on Mahatma Gandhi Setu over the Ganga river between Patna and Vaishali districts in the 'chakka jam' by Home Guards to press for post-service benefits, a hike in daily allowances and retirement age.
"We got reports about the deaths of two patients on the bridge. We are enquiring into the matter and have asked Vaishali district SP about it. So far no FIR has been registered. We will take action if the dead person's family members come forward," Additional Director General (ADG) of Police (Headquarters) Sunil Kumar told reporters.

Kumar said of all the 38 districts in the state, Patna, Nawada, Bhojpur, Buxar, Vaishali, Siwan, Saran, Gopalganj, Sitamarhi, Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia, Bhagalpur, Supaul Madhubani, Darbhanga, West Champaran, East Champaran, Sheikhpura, Muzaffarpur, Gaya and Nalanda were the worst affected by the agitation.
The ADG (Hqs) said rail and road traffic suffered at places as the agitating Home Guards blocked the routes leading to stoppage of movement of goods and people in North Bihar.
"The Home Guards indulged in brick-batting in Bettiah town in West Champaran district after shopkeepers refused to down shutters. Several persons including a few police personnel sustained injuries in the incident," Kumar added.

So far FIR against Home Guards have been registered in East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Munger, Bhojpur and Bhagalpur districts for disruptions caused by them.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) (Railway) Amit Kumar said the agitators squatted on railway platforms and tracks at Patna, Ara, Jehanabad, and Dehri-on-Sone stations leading to disturbance in the movement of trains and passengers.
"The agitators stopped the Satyagraha Express at Motihari and two passenger trains in Katihar railway division for some time. Later traffic was restored on all railway routes in the state. The New Delhi-Howrah route was not affected, nor was any long distance train stopped," Kumar said.