RJD bandh disrupts normal life in Bihar

Party workers called the bandh to press for its demand for quick release of caste census data by the Centre

Normal life was disrupted in Bihar today as shops, educational institutions and some trains were forced to stop functioing as lathi-wielding mobs took to the streets over the day-long state bandh called by RJD.

Officials said shops remained shut, colleges and educational institutions were forced to close down, roads including national highways were blocked and vehicles were attacked during the shut-down called by RJD.

Hordes of RJD supporters armed with sticks and canes were seen burning tyres and bamboos at busiest thoroughfares in the state capital.

The supporters also disrupted classes and forcibly closed colleges affiliated to Patna University, officials said.

East Central Railway (ECR) CPRO Arvind Kumar Rajak said, "Reports are coming about disturbance in rail services by bandh supporters at many places in the state."

The Patna-Ranchi Janshatabdi Express was stopped at Jehanabad station while Hatia-Islampur Express was halted near Daniyawan in Patna district, he said.

Rajak added that reports have also come about disruption of railway services near Kamtaul railway station in Darbhanga district even as RJD workers squatted on rail tracks in Shiekhpura and Madhepura hampering movement of trains.

The RJD gave the call to press for its demand for quick release of caste census data by the Centre.

Though RJD chief Lalu Prasad, while giving the call for Bihar bandh a few days ago, had asked his supporters not to disturb trains while enforcing it, his plea apparently fell on deaf ears.