Bihar bandh: Lalu Prasad, Ram Vilas Paswan detained amidst protests

Patna: Former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Ram Vilas Paswan were detained on Monday amidst the Bihar bandh as their party members continued to protest against the recent violence in Madhubani where two one youth was killed and several others injured in police firing.

Shouting slogans against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the protesters halted several trains and blocked National Highway routes. According to sources, the protesters stopped the Toofan Express and the Garib Rath at the Arrah station. Several passenger trains were stranded at Jahanabad. Some demonstrators also pelted stones at the Sharamjivi Express in Nalanda.

The bandh is said to be more effective in areas such as Madhubani, Darbhanga, Arrah and Jahanabad. While traffic inside Patna city was said to be normal, vehicular movement on the National Highways was affected. Schools, colleges and shopping complexes remained shut in Patna.

Nearly 12 trains have been halted and several highways blocked by protesters demanding CBI probe into the recent Madhubani violence.

The protesters have demanded a CBI investigation into the Madhubani violence where a youth was killed and several others injured amidst police firing. During a high level meeting on Sunday, many districts including Bhojpur, had been put on high alert to prevent any untoward incident.

Adeeb Rizvi, district president of Bhojpur, said, "There is no democracy. Today, the RJD and other parties have announced Bihar Bandh. It is being done to make him realise that there is no law and order. Police is also not responsible. In many areas, police does what it wants to."

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