Ara bandh called by sand workers evokes mixed response

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Ara : The Ara bandh called by the sand and stonechips labourers and traders to protest ban on sale of sand and stonechips by the state government evoked mixed response on December 13, 2017.

Hundreds of sand and stonechips  labourers and businessmen, under the banner of Balu-Gitti Vyasayi Mahasangh, took out processions from different points and forced the traders and businessmen to down their shutters. Schools were closed while BA/BSc/BCom examinations went on smoothly and working in government offices were as usual though attendance was thin.

The bandh supporters blocked Ara-Patna, Ara-Sasaram, Ara-Mohania main roads and also Judge Kothi mor, Tribhuani Kothi tri- junction, Shivganj and Bus stand area for about five hours paralysing the movement of vehicles. They also stopped Sampurna Kranti Superfast Express and a goods train at Zamira halt and Shram Jeevi.Express at Ara railway station under Danapur Division of East Central Railway (ECR), Hajipur, by boarding the rail engines and squatting on the railway tracks for about three hours raising slogans against the Nitish Government. As a result several long distance trains remained stranded at different railway stations.
The bandh supporters claimed that they and their falimy members were on the verge of starvation due ban on sand mining and its sale besides ban quarrying of stonechips for the last six months.