J’khand bandh begins amid violence, PM visit

The Jharkhand bandh coinciding with the Prime Minister’s visit began on Sunday with stray incidents of violence reported in some areas. The day-long bandh has been called by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in protest against the state government’s new domicile policy.Suspected bandh supporters set ablaze a bus and a water tanker in East Singhbhum district, hours before PM Narendra Modi’s scheduled address at the National Panchayati Raj diwas function at JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, a police official said.

The bus, which was parked near Musaboni block office, 20 km from here, to ferry the BJP workers from rural pockets, was torched by suspected bandh supporters in the wee hours on Sunday, said DSP (Musaboni), Ajit Vimal.

Vimal said a water tanker was also torched by suspected pro-domicile group at Potka, about 25 kms from here, under Potka police station.

However, district police force, which was put on alert in view of the PM’s visit and bandh, rushed to the spot and doused the flames with the help of fire fighters, he said.