The impact of the bandh, however, was more in Jharkhand where the Maoists recently killed the JMM MP Sunil Mahato. Neyaz Ahmed ADGP Jharkhand informed that even though no untoward incident had been reported from any part of the state so far, most of the trains in the Gomo Barkakana Daltonganj section in Dhanbad division had been cancelled, while long distance rail-routes had been diverted to the grand-code section.
Loading and despatch of various minerals, including coal, iron ore, boxide and magnese had been affected as most of the trucks were off the road.
About 40 companies of paramilitary forces were deployed for patrolling in sensitive areas. While schools, colleges, shops and business establishments were open in Ranchi, normal life was affected in Naxal-infested Garhwa, Polanu, Latihar and Chetra districts.
The Left-wing ultras have threatened violent movements against the policy of setting up SEZs on farming land part of the efforts to boost India's manufacturing sector and close the gap on China.
In a press release here, the Maoists said today's strike was just the beginning of a strong movement against land grabbing in the country.
(Source-The Tribune,21/03/07)
