Patna: VHP activists on Saturday pelted stones at a Jan Shatabdi express train in Bihar’s Jehanabad district to enforce a shutdown called to protest the police firing on people, police said.
Hundreds of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists armed with bamboo sticks created panic and terror in Jehanabad, about 50 km from Patna, and pelted stones at Jan Satabdi express train, a district police official said.
“They also attacked policemen who tried to pacify them,” officials said.
Police had to resort to lathicharge and fire tear gas shells to disperse the VHP’s activists after they went on rampage at several placeas.
The bandh evoked a mixed response as shops and markets remained closed in some areas but vehicles could be seen plying.
The VHP activists were demanding action against police officials who opened fire on June 25 on people at Soiya Ghat and Malahchak in Jehananad town when they went out of control during a protest over a land dispute with another community
Refuting the VHP claim that four people were injured in the firing, police said only one person was injured.
The district administration has deployed additional security forces and videographers to record the VHP’s activities during the shutdown.