Patna: The dawn-to-dusk Patna bandh sponsored by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Indian Federal Democratic Party of Lok Sabha member, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav began on February 8 morning amid tight security.

The bandh, called to protest the killing of the Army jawan in a fake encounter and increasing abduction cases, was reported to be peaceful so far, official sources said.

Shops and business establishments downed their shutters and vehicular traffic was seen plying in depleted numbers.

Schools and colleges were closed.

Official sources said all the police stations have been alerted in the state capital and patrolling intensified to maintain law and order.

Extra vigil was being kept to protect property of the state government, vital installations and the railways, the sources said.

Patna has been witnessing a series of bandhs and agitational programmes after the killing of three youths in a fake encounter at Ashiana Nagar and two youths at Manjhaul in Begusarai in December.

Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) state president Nandkishore Yadav said the bandh was being observed to protest against the killing of the Army jawan Amritesh alias Madhukar Sharma in a fake encounter at Paliganj and the spiralling crime graph, particularly cases of abduction, police brutality and atrocities on women.

PTI