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Opposition parties call for Bihar bandh

Special Correspondent

Protests continue for third day against police firing

PATNA: The Opposition has called for a Bihar bandh on January 25 as thousands continued to protest in Kahalgaon on Sunday against the police firing which left three dead.

Shops closed

The police kept off the streets to avoid clashes and all shops remained closed.

The Muharram procession was suspended in several localities to protest against Firday’s police firing.

The protestors said they would not give up their agitation till cases were filed against all officials, including the District Magistrate and the SP.

They also protested the manner in which these officials enjoyed the patronage of the NTPC . Charging the State officials of eating off the hands of the NTPC by using its quarters and hospitality, the residents demanded that the government put an end to this sordid association.

The CPI(M), CPI, RJD, Congress, NCP and the Samata Party have jointly given a call for the bandh as part of their phased agitation protesting the police firing on peacefully agitating people. They charged that the police action was unwarranted .

‘An eye wash’

The Opposition alleged that the judicial enquiry was an eye wash to divert the attention of the people from the main problem which stemmed from the discriminatory policy of the State government in supplying uninterrupted power to districts of its choice.

Protest day

The Opposition parties have decided to observe a protest day on January 21, stage dharna at the district level on January 23, take out torchlight procession the following day before enforcing a bandh on the eve of Republic Day to focus on the burning problems in the State.

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