‘Bharat Bandh’ turns violent in Bihar, firing reported from some places

Patna: The ‘Bharat Bandh’ called against caste-based reservation in education and jobs turned violent in Bihar today as incidents of firing and arson were reported from various parts of the state.
‘Bharat Bandh’ was not endorsed by any major outfit but calls for the bandh were circulated on social media.
In the state capital, the vehicular traffic was comparatively thin and several private schools were closed.
According to a report from Gaya, bandh supporters took to street and indulged in arson at several places against reservation quota.
Bandh supporters blocked Gaya-Bodh Gaya road at Kendui village and indulged in arson.
The agitated youths were raising slogans demanding that ‘India should be freed from the quota system’.
Gaya railway station premise was turned into fortress of huge contingent of police force guarding the area under the leadership of City DSP Alok Singh.
Heave deployment of police personnel was also made at important roundabouts in the district town.
Bandh supporters started pelting stones on police personnel when they tried to lift road blockade put by bandh supporters at several places under Mufassil police station area, injuring three police personnel including Wazeerganj DSP Abhijeet Singh.
Bandh supporters also smashed glasses of several vehicles.
Police resorted to baton charge to chase away unruly mob and detained nearly 15 people.
Senior police superintendent Garima Malik, ASP Baliram Choudhary, City SP Gaurav Mangala, SDO (Sadar) Vikas Kumar Jaiswal and other officers reached the spot and brought the situation under control.
Ms Malik said that action was being taken against trouble makers. She said that police were identifying those who indulged in stone pelting and caused losses to public and private properties.
She said that CRPF jawans were also deployed at several places to deal with any situation.
Reports of arson were also reported from Chandauti roundabout, Kandi Nawada village on Patna-Gaya main road and other places. Bus and auto services were also completely paralysed in the district due to Bharat Bandh.
A report from Ara said supporters and protesters of Bharat Bandh indulged in fierce gun battle in Anand Nagar locality under Town police station area in the district headquarters.
Police said nobody was injured in the firing.
Sources said that clashes were also reported from Chandwa locality under Nawada police station area. At least 12 miscreants were detained during the agitation.
‘Bharat Bandh’ evoked positive response throughout the district.