Bihar bandh against Agnipath scheme: Violence at Masaurhi and Jehanabad

PATNA: Violent clashes occurred between youths and Government Railway Police (GRP) at Masaurhi in Patna district during the Bihar bandh on Saturday morning called by youth and students unions against Agnipath scheme.
Reports also came from Jehanabad, where four vehicles, including a bus, were set on fire during the Bandh. While protestors indulged in stone-pelting, police resorted to lathi-charge to chase away violent mobs.
Railways cancelled 241 passenger trains on Saturday in view of Bihar bandh call.Besides, disruption in train movement was reported on Patna-Gaya section of Danapur division, while bandh supporters vandalised Kuchman and other stations in the state.
At Masaurhi, the mob set ablaze a couple of vehicles. Locals claimed that following stone-pelting and massive vandalism near Masaurhi station, GRP and local forces retaliated and chased away protestors.
The Bihar bandh was called by All India Students Association (AISA), Rozgar Sangharsh Sanyukta Morcha and Sena Bharti Jawan Morcha. The Bandh call was later supported by Left parties, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress. Jamui MP Chirag Paswan led-LJP (Ram Vilas) also announced to launch a Raj Bhawan march at Patna later in the day.
However, senior leaders of most parties, including RJD chief Lalu Prasad had appealed to agitators not to resort to violent protests and not to damage public properties.
Bihar police were also on high alert across the state. In view of the violent protests in more than 20 districts over the last two day, 10 companies of para- military forces were deployed across the state. DGP S K Singhal also inspected Patna junction on Saturday afternoon.
In order to prevent rumour-spreading, the home department on Friday evening issued orders for temporary suspension of internet services in 15 districts, including Kaimur, Bhojpur, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Buxar, Nawada, West Champaran, East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Vaishali and Saran.
According to sources, the state police headquarters (PHQ) has also alerted all district police to remain alert and enhance security measures during the bandh. “Vigil is also being kept through our cyber cell to indentify the mischief causing people,” ADG (law and order) Sanjay Singh said.
Senior officials including district magistrates (DMs) and Superintendent of Police (SPs) could be seen on the streets along with police force in different districts, including Bhagalpur, Jehanabad, Bhojpur and Lakhisarai among others. Owing to strict police vigil, violent protests did not occur in most districts in the state till the time of filing of this report.