Bharat bandh evokes lukewarm response in Bihar

Patna: Bharat bandh call made against Agnipath recruitment scheme in Armed Forces, evoked lukewarm response in Bihar as no protest was visible and also not any untoward incident was reported during the bandh, even though traffic flow was below normal and most of the trains were cancelled by Railways as precautionary measures while schools were kept closed to save students from hardship.
Although, Bharat bandh was not formally called by any political party but campaign against Agnipath
recruitment scheme and call for Bharat bandh was made on social media by a large number of users. Its effect was not visible in Bihar as no protest was staged on road in any part of the state to enforce bandh while people preferred to remain confined as most of the trains were cancelled and other mode of transport was not available as normal days as fear among the people loomed large due to protests during the last five days.
Attendance in government and private offices remained normal but schools were kept closed to avoid hardship to students. Business establishments were not seen having much activities while some shops and showrooms remained closed.
Heavy deployment of security forces have been made at almost all major Railway stations in Bihar
to prevent any disruptive activities by Army job aspirants protesting against Agneepath recruitment scheme of jawans in all three wings of Armed Forces. Heavy contingent of security forces
including Railway Protection Forces (RPF), Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have been made at Patna junction.
Strict vigil is being maintained on trouble mongers by using drones in Gaya, Jehanabad, Muzaffarpur and other Railway stations. Flag March was conducted in some district to instill confidence among the people as they felt harassed due to protest by Army job aspirants.
Internet services in 20 districts have been suspended till midnight on June 20. Earlier, internet services were suspended till June 19 but it was extended till June 20 midnight due to Bharat bandh call. A total of 348 trains were cancelled in Bihar by Railways which included long distance trains.
Meanwhile, drive to arrest those found indulged in protest has been accelerated which discouraged protesters to come on streets. More than 800 protesters have been arrested so far since the troubles began five days back while posters of some others have been released by police seeking information from the people which could lead to their arrest.