Monday, January 24 2005 11:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Around 1,800 public, Government and convent schools remained closed today (Jan 24, 2005) as students launched a relay fast in the state capital to press for early safe release of kidnapped DPS student Kislay Komal, who remained traceless for the sixth day today.

All the schools in the state capital were closed at the call given by Bihar Public School Association, its chairman D K Singh claimed.

School students also launched relay hunger strike for an indefinite period on the DAV school campus in Patel Nager to press for the demand. A social organision "oxygen" has taken initiative for the programme.

The students have also decided to boycott all cultural programmes on Republic day and stage a sit-in before Raj Bhavan on January 28 if kidnapped Kislay is not rescued by then.

Meanwhile the indefinite strike by over 400 officers owing allegiance to Bihar State Finance Service Association entered third day today against delay in recovery of their colleague and Assistant Sales Tax Commisioner K K Gupta's son Kislay.

Police have taken at least 25 suspects into custody for interrogation in connection with the kidnapping case. Unidentified gunmen from Patel Nagar kidnapped Kislay, when he was going to board the school bus on January 19.