CPI-ML strike hits Bihar

Patna, May 10 (IANS) Life was hit in many parts of Bihar Thursday by a day-long strike the CPI-ML called to protest the killing of a village head and the police action against those seeking a probe into it.

More than 500 Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninst activists, including general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, were detained for disturbing peace while they were enforcing strike, police said.

Bhattacharya led hundreds of activists in Patna, shouting slogans against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and demanding justice for Sonhathu village head Devendra Singh alias Chhotu.

The victim was shot dead near Dhamni village in Aurangabad district April 29.

According to officials, the protesters stopped trais in Darbhanga, Ara, Gaya, Samastipur, Vaishali, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Jehanabad districts, disrupting the services.

Police aid that CPI-ML activists blocked national highways in over a dozen districts.

In Patna, the strike evoked mixed response with shops and business establishments remaining closed in some localities, though banks and other financial institutions were open.

Most central and state government offices were deserted.