Strike hits normal life in parts of Bihar

Patna, May 22 (IANS) Normal life was hit in Bihar's Magadh region Tuesday by a day-long strike called by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to protest the killing of a village head and subsequent police action against those seeking a probe into it, officials said.

More than 100 RJD workers, including some leaders, were detained for disturbing peace when they were enforcing the strike in Gaya, Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Arwal and Nawada districts in the region, police said.

The strike was also supported by opposition Communist Party of India (Marxist-leninist).

Sonhathu village head Devendra Singh alias Chhotu was shot dead near Dhamni village of Haspura block in Aurangabad district April 29.

RJD leader Ram Kirpal Yadav told IANS that the strike received overwhelming support. "Thousands of slogan-shouting party workers and supporters took to the streets to protest against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's failure to control crime," he said.

Police officials said RJD workers blocked national highways in Aurangabad, Gaya, Jehanabad and Nawada, disrupting road traffic.

According to railway officials, the protesters also forcibly stopped trains in Gaya and Jehanabad districts.

Markets remained closed in Aurangabad, Nawada, Arwal and Jehanabad districts.

RJD chief lalu Prasad during his visit to the slain village head's home May 6 had announced the strike in Magadh region.