Security beefed up on Maoist bandh eve
Thursday, March 15, 2007
GAYA: Security has been beefed up in view of the Magadh bandh call given by the Maoists on Thursday to register protest against the custodial death of Nathun Kahar, one of the top leaders of the banned outfit and an accused in 19 criminal cases, including the Maoist invasion of the Tekari police station and the Bara and Senari carnages.
All the five districts of the Magadh division, including the more vulnerable parts of Gaya, Jahanabad, Aurangabad and Arwal, have been put on high alert. According to sources, some additional police force has been mobilised to maintain peace during the bandh.
Asked about the security arrangements during the bandh, IG (Magadh zone) Raj Vardhan Sharma said that police deployment at strategic points and on important routes has been made.
Security arrangements have been strengthened at police stations, outposts and pickets and extra vigil is being maintained on the movement of extremists.
The Maoists, while giving the bandh call, have contested the police claim that Nathun Kahar died of asthma. The Maoists have alleged that Nathun was tortured to death and have vowed revenge against the police.
Nathun was arrested from Khaira village under the Konch police station area on March 6 and he died two days later in police custody. Before his death, the Gaya police presented Nathun before a select group of electronic mediapersons and the footage showed him in apparently good health.
A criminal case against the Konch officer in-charge (OC) Janardan Singh was subsequently registered under Section 304 of the Indian Penal code. The case was instituted on the basis of a complaint made by inspector J N Sharma.
posted by Resistance 3/15/2007 03:45:00 AM,
