Supporters of Bharat Bandh gathered at Dakbungla Chowk in Patna and police blocked the way
The Bharat Bandh called against the Supreme Court’s decision on sub-quota in SC-ST reservation is having a deep impact on road transport in Bihar. There are reports of national and state highways being blocked in many districts including Patna, Purnia, Muzaffarpur, Begusarai, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Hajipur, Vaishali, Buxar, Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Motihari. At some places, bandh supporters are staging dharna and giving speeches by putting up tents on the highway itself. Trains have also been stopped at some places including Motihari, Darbhanga, Buxar, Ara. Schools have been kept closed as a precaution in many districts. Markets are closed at many places, and open at many places. It depends on whether the bandh supporters turn to the market or the road. There has been a lathi charge on the protesters at Dakbungla Chowk in Patna, during which the SDO of Patna is also reported to have been beaten up.
Union ministers of two allies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are face to face over the bandh, which has opened up the knot in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar. While LJP-Ram Vilas President Chirag Paswan is in support of the bandh, HAM leader Jitan Ram Manjhi is against it. Janata Dal United (JDU) had already said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has already taken steps like separating reservation for Mahadalits and extremely backward castes. Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Mukesh Sahni’s Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP) have given moral support to the bandh. Mayawati’s party Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is active in the bandh. At many places, BSP workers are seen on the streets carrying the party flag.
The Supreme Court has asked to make arrangements to provide the benefits of SC-ST reservation to those castes who are not getting much benefit from it. Supporters of the decision are saying that some castes are getting more benefits from the quota. Jitan Ram Manjhi says that only four castes, which are 5 percent, are taking all the benefits while the rest of the 10 percent Dalits have got only a few opportunities. Leaders like Chirag Paswan, who are opposing the decision, are citing the recent marriage procession of a Dalit IPS officer under police protection and saying that SC-ST have got reservation not on economic basis but on the basis of untouchability, which is continuing even today.
Bandh supporters blocked the road in Haveli Kharagpur, also closed the market
In Haveli Kharagpur, Ambedkar Chowk, Nandlal Basu Chowk and Bariyarpur Road were jammed near Shampur due to Bharat Bandh. Bandh supporters also closed shops in the main market including Gaushala Market, Ekta Park, Manik Chowk and Haat.
Fight during bandh in Samastipur, angry boy called villagers after being stopped
During Bharat Bandh in Tajpur, Samastipur, there was a lot of fighting between two parties at Petrol Pump Chowk on NH 28. Half a dozen people were injured in this while a young man was seriously injured after being hit by a stick on the head. He has been taken to a private hospital for treatment. According to the information, a young man was carrying a cooking gas cylinder on a bike. Bandh supporters stopped him at the Petrol Pump Chowk. After this, an argument started between the youth and the bandh supporters. During the fight, the youth called the people of his village. After this, sticks were used from both sides. The police separated the two parties and pacified the matter. At present, no one has applied for a case.
In Bhagalpur, bandh supporters came out in the field as the day progressed, most shops in the market were closed
Bharat Bandh has a mixed effect in Bhagalpur. Everything remained normal except the main market till 11 am. After this, the bandh supporters came on the road and started reaching different places, closing the main market. They tried to enter the railway station but due to the alertness of RPF and GRP, they were stopped from entering the station premises. Security has been increased at the railway station. There is no news of cancellation of any train so far. At the same time, the effect of the bandh was seen in many areas including Sujaganj, Khalifabagh, Ghantaghar in the market. Shops are not open here. Engineering college students demonstrated by blocking NH 80.
Bharat Bandh supporters stopped trains at four places in Danapur Railway Division
During the Bharat Bandh, trains have been reported to have been stopped at four places in the Danapur Railway Division. Bandh supporters have stopped trains for 10 to 15 minutes in Ara, Bihar Sharif, Rajgir and Warisliganj.
Police lathicharge on Bharat Bandh supporters in Patna, SDO Shrikant Khandekar beaten up
Police have lathicharged the bandh supporters gathered at Dakbungla Chowk in the capital Patna. During the lathicharge, Patna’s Sadar SDO Shrikant Kundlik Khandekar was also beaten up.
There was a huge argument between the police and bandh supporters in Sahebpur Kamal of Begusarai
There was a heated argument between bandh supporters and police near Sahebpur Kamal Thana Chowk in Begusarai. Bandh supporters strongly opposed the police’s attempt to end the bandh. Bandh supporters hooted at the police.
Mixed effect of Bharat Bandh in Supaul, market was also closed
The Bharat Bandh called by SC-ST Sangharsh Samiti Sangh is having a mixed effect in Supaul. The movement of vehicles has been affected at some places on the National Highway. Some shops in the market are closed while some are open. Protests were held by blocking the road near Gudri of the district headquarters. There are reports of road blockages and market closures from Kishanpur, Saraigarh, Pratapganj, Nirmali, Chhatapur, Veerpur and other places.
Bihar Sampark Kranti stopped in Darbhanga, NH 57 jammed, fewer vehicles came on the road
In Darbhanga, Bharat Bandh supporters stopped 12565 Bihar Sampark Kranti Superfast going from Darbhanga to New Delhi at Darbhanga Junction for about 50 minutes on Wednesday morning. In view of the bandh, very few vehicles were seen on the roads. Bandh supporters also blocked NH 57 in Simri for some time. Apart from this, their protests are continuing on the roads at various places.
Many organizations came out on the streets regarding reservation, closed the market, stopped traffic on NH
In Khagaria, activists of Bhim Army, Bahujan Samaj Party, Aarakshan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti and CPI-ML closed the market. The movement of vehicles on NH 31 was also stopped for some time. The bandh did not affect the rail traffic.
Markets closed in Narpatganj and Raniganj of Araria, NH blocked
Many workers of BSP, SC-ST Morcha and other Dalit organizations have come out on the streets to enforce Bharat Bandh in Araria. In Narpatganj and Raniganj, the protesters have closed the market and blocked the NH. During this, slogans are also being raised against the government. Mahadalit Sangh has demonstrated at Araria bus stand.
Roads are empty in Hajipur, traffic jam has a deep impact on the road
Bharat Bandh has had a profound impact on road traffic in Hajipur. National highways and state highways have been blocked at many places. The main roads appear deserted.
Villagers blocked the Panjwara-Bhedamod main road
In Banka, the supporters of Bharat Bandh have blocked the Panjwara-Bhedamod National Highway 333A main road in front of Lakhpura Mahadalit Tola. Common people are facing problems due to the road blockage.
NH 22 jam at Imadpur Chowk in Hajipur
In support of Bharat Bandh, people have blocked NH 22 at Imadpur Chowk in Hajipur.
The effect of Bharat Bandh is visible in Aurangabad district headquarters
The effect of Bharat Bandh is being seen in Aurangabad district headquarters. In the morning, hundreds of youths came out on the road and tried to close the market. Ramesh Chowk was blocked. Traffic was stopped by parking trolleys on both sides. On receiving the information, Sadar SDO Santan Singh, SDPO Sanjay Pandey reached Ramesh Chowk and talked to the people who were raising slogans. Officials said that the program of bandh should be done in a controlled manner. There should be no fighting in the name of road blockage. If an incident of vandalism occurs, action will be taken. Officials warned not to completely stop the traffic because the constable recruitment exam is going on. However, people did not listen to them. Bandh supporters have said that they will block the road till 4 pm. The program of bandh has already been announced, so they will remain on the road. Officials have warned that if a law and order problem arises, action will be taken under compulsion. Officials offered symbolic arrest but these people did not agree. After this, the officials left from there.
Effect of bandh in Muzaffarpur, bandh supporters on the road, NH 28 jammed
The police and administration are on alert in Muzaffarpur since morning regarding Bharat Bandh. The effect of the bandh started showing from 9 am itself. A large number of bandh supporters are on the roads from the city to the villages. People demonstrated by burning tyres at Mithanpura Chowk. Bairiya Chowk has been cordoned off with bamboo and bats. Bhagwanpur-Saraiya highway is completely jammed. People have blocked the road at various places between Karja and Saraiya. The Gobarsahi Chowk has been blocked by burning tyres. Bhagwanpur Chowk is also jammed. People involved in the agitation have set up tents on the NH near Pokharera Chowk on Rewa Road NH 722. Traffic has been obstructed by parking trucks haphazardly. Bandh supporters have also blocked Sujawalpur Chowk in Sakra. Long queues of vehicles have formed. Bandh supporters have also blocked the road near Mushari High School Rohua. Due to this, the Muzaffarpur-Pusa road is completely obstructed. Magistrates and police have been deployed at 58 places in and around the city in view of the bandh.
There is a jam near Beur turn in Patna, bandh supporters have gathered at Dakbungla Chowk
The impact of Bharat Bandh is visible in the capital Patna as well. Bandh supporters have blocked the bypass road by burning tyres near Beur turn, due to which a long convoy of vehicles has come to a standstill. Protesters have reached Dakbungla crossing after which the police have closed two lanes. Among these bandh supporters, a large number of people are seen carrying flags of Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party.
In Darbhanga, bandh supporters have blocked roads at many places
The effect of Bharat Bandh in Darbhanga is visible in the district since morning. Bandh supporters have blocked roads at many places in the district. The Darbhanga-Laheriyasarai main road has been blocked near the Museum Gumti. Bahujan activists have blocked traffic on Biraul- Benipur SH 56. The road is also blocked near Sisoni turn. Traffic disruptions are also reported from other places. In view of the Bharat Bandh, most of the private schools in the district were already closed.
Saptkranti Express train stopped in Motihari, NH jammed, bus operations affected
Rallies were taken out at various places in Motihari in support of the Bharat Bandh called by Dalit organisations. Anand Vihar-Muzaffarpur Down Saptkranti 12558 was stopped for about 10 minutes at the Chandmari railway crossing in the city. The train moved only after the RPF and Railway Police cleared the track. The RPF has also detained three protesters.
Bandh supporters took out a procession at Kachhari Chowk in Motihari city. NH has been blocked by burning tyres in Bariyarpur. Bus operations have come to a halt due to the bandh. Private schools in the city have been closed as a precautionary measure. Shops are also partially closed.
In Dhaka, bandh supporters are shouting slogans by blocking Gandhi Chowk. In Chakia, Subhash Chowk has been blocked.
Bharat Bandh supporters stopped the judge’s car in Buxar
In Buxar, bandh supporters have come out on the streets in different areas. The car of a judge going to the court has been stopped. Ambedkar Chowk has also been blocked.
Deep impact of bandh in Begusarai, all major roads blocked
The effect of Bharat Bandh called by SC-ST Morcha in Begusarai is visible since morning. All the main routes of the district have been blocked. The movement of vehicles has come to a complete standstill. The troubles of pedestrians and passengers have increased.
