Kumar Rajiv Nayan
Ara : The supporters of Sawarn Samaj, Khsatriya Mahasabha, Rajput Samaj Samiti, Sarpanch Sangh, Rashtriya Jan Aarankshan, Rajput Adhikar Manch, on September 6, 2018, strongly protested the Central government’s move to restore the old provisions of the SC/ST Act during the Bharat Bandh, which evoked good response in Bhojpur district. The bandh was marked by arson. No major political party, however, supported the bandh. The bandh crippled the city life at Ara since early morning. The movement of vehicles and trains was badly hit for hours.
Thousands of bandh supporters took out processions from different parts of Bhojpur district and forced the businessmen and traders to down their shutters. Shops at Ara and other parts of Bhojpur district remained closed till afternoon. Though police were deputed at all vantage pointgs and important roundabouts like Badi Mathia, Shivganj, Pakari, Katira, New Policeline, Old Policeline, Mahavir Tola, Sheesh Mahal Chowk, Aranya Devi, Station road and others, the protesters ensured traffic crawled. Almost all schools, business establishments, petrol pumps, cinema halls remained closed. Attendance in government offices and courts were thin. The light vehicles like motorcycles, three- wheelers were seen plying on some roads though.
The bandh supporters went to the Ara railway station in processions and squatted on rail tracks and stopped 3202 Dn Lokmanya Tilak Rajendra Nagar Express under Danapur rail division of the East Central Railway (ECR), Hajipur, for about half an hour. The police had to resort to lathi charge at Ara railway station to disperse the protestors and restore movement of trains.
The bandh supporters blocked roads by putting hurdles and burning tyres and raised slogans against PM Narendra Modi and Central government at Shivganj, Ahirpurva, Sapna Cinema Mor, East railway crossing, Badi Mathia Mor, Karman Tola, Chandawa, Gopali Chowk, Dharahara, station road, Tribuani Kothi tri-junction, Shaheed Bhawan roundabout, Dhobi ghatawa, Anaith, K G Road, Katira, Fuladi, Bagawa besides Ara-Sahar, Ara-Mohania, Ara-Sandesh, Ara-Barahara, and Ara-Buxar NH 30.
Bhojpur police and local residents clashed at different places at Ara and allegedly exchanged fire. The locals pelted cops with stones when they tried to remove blockads. About 24 rounds were fired by them though no casualty was reported. Ara Sadar SDPO Pankaj Kumar had to face the wrath of bandh supporters when he along with police force tried to remove blockade in Jagdeonagar and Katira localty. The bandh supporters pelted the SDPO with stones and also damaged the police van. After this, police resorted to lathicharge on bandh supporters. Police entered several houses to thrash the bandh supporters after dragging them out of their houses.