Friday, December 24 2004 14:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: More than 30 FIRs have so far been registered with different police stations in Bihar's Patna, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali districts for violation of the model code of conduct for elections.

The FIRs have been lodged in connection with banners, hoardings and posters put up by alleged activists of the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) for their rallies in violation of the model code.

While the LJP staged a massive rally in Patna on November 27 its propaganda material including posters, banners and flags were still in place on Government and private buildings even after the code of conduct coming into effect on December 17.

The RJD rally, which was scheduled to be held in Patna on December 23, was suddenly put off by its President Laloo Prasad in the wake of registration of an FIR charging him with bribing the electorate by distributing money among some dalit women at Bihta last Saturday (Dec 18, 2004) in violation of the model code.

Official sources said that around 23 FIRs were lodged during the past two days with Gandhi Maidan, Kotwali, Kadamkuan, Patna city, Danapur, Khagaul, Jakkanpur and Maner police stations in Patna against some RJD activists and unknown persons for putting up hoardings, posters and banners at restricted places, including police and railway stations and Government buildings in connection with the December 23 rally.