Bihar bandh: Police on high alert, internet services suspended in 12 districts

The Bihar police has sounded high alert in the entire state over the Bihar bandh called by job aspirants on Saturday against the Centre's Agnipath scheme for short-term appointments in the armed forces, officials said adding that internet services have been suspended in 12 out of 38 districts in the state which have been identified as the worst affected ones.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress and the Left parties have extended their support to the bandh.

The violent protest over the issue continued for the third consecutive day on Friday. 

The compartments of at least 14 trains were torched, railway stations vandalised and railway property damaged by agitators.

In view of the bandh, special contingents of armed police are being deployed specially in North Bihar and Magadh range. 

The police have also warned of action against persons who are found spreading rumours about the bandh and violence.

The state police headquarters (PHQ), in a circular to all the 38 districts, has directed to enhance the security measures at vital installation and other public places during the bandh. 

The PHQ has asked the intelligence sleuths to be more active while the district police have been directed to be more vigilant at the railway and bus stations, airports and other places.