The RJD, Congress and the Left parties have extended their support to the Bihar bandh called by job aspirants on Saturday against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme
The Bihar police has sounded high alert in the entire state over the Bihar bandh called by job aspirants on Saturday against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme for short-term appointments in the armed forces, officials said adding that internet services have been suspended in 12 out of 38 districts in the state which have been identified as the worst affected ones.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress and the Left parties have extended their support to the bandh.
The violent protest over the issue continued for the third consecutive day on Friday. The compartments of at least 14 trains were torched, railway stations vandalised and railway property damaged by agitators.
In view of the bandh, special contingents of armed police are being deployed specially in North Bihar and Magadh range. The police have also warned of action against persons who are found spreading rumours about the bandh and violence.
The state police headquarters (PHQ), in a circular to all the 38 districts, has directed to enhance the security measures at vital installation and other public places during the bandh. The PHQ has asked the intelligence sleuths to be more active while the district police have been directed to be more vigilant at the railway and bus stations, airports and other places.
As a precautionary measure, we have suspended internet services in 12 out of 38 districts in the state which have been identified as the worst affected ones,” said Sanjay Singh, ADG (law and order).
The railways have been provided adequate security. Heavy police deployment has been made this time at all vulnerable places in the state.
Additional director general (law and order), Sanjay Singh said there is no need to panic. A special team is monitoring social media. Whosoever posts controversial content propagating hate will be booked and police are prepared to deal with any kind of violence and law and order situation, he said. Those indulging in violence and disturbance will be booked under Damage to Property Act. Police are assessing the situation and will ensure that everything passes off peacefully, he added
Instructions have been issued to all superintendents of police (SPs) to maintain close surveillance on the trouble makers and take action accordingly,” he said adding that one company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), three companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and six companies of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) have been deployed for maintaining peace and law and order.
ADG (rail) Nirmal Kumar Azad said that they have urged aspirants not to get influenced by anyone and to avoid damage to public property.
Notably, in the past two days job aspirants set on fire over 60 coaches and seven locomotive engines of 18 trains causing a loss of over ₹250 crore. The home department (special branch) in the interest of maintenance of public order directed all internet service providers that any messages to or from any person or class of person relating to any subject or any pictorial content through the social networking sites or applications shall not be transmitted in Kaimur, Bhojpur, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Buxer, Nawada, West Champaran, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Vaishali and Saran districts.
