Thursday, March 3 2005 09:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: The BJP-sponsored dawn-to-dusk Jharkhand bandh in protest against Governor Syed Sibtey Razi appointing JMM president Sibu Soren as Chief Minister ignoring the NDA's claim began this morning (Mar 3, 2005). Most of the educational institutions, in midst of examinations, were closed and thin traffic was in sight.

There was, however, no report of any untoward incident. Around sixty bandh supporters were rounded up in Jamshedpur where they tried to block Tata-Howrah Steel Express at Tatanagar railway station.

BJP's (Bharatiya Janata Party) State unit president Raghuwar Das, last evening told newsmen that the party would continue its agitation till the Governor was called back. The party however called off its dharna yesterday.

The NDA (National Democratic Alliance) legislators are now in New Delhi. But it is not yet known whether the five independents - Sudesh Mahto, Chandra Prakash Choudhury, Madhu Kora, Enos Ekka and Hari Narain Rai - have also accompanied them during the NDA team's flight to New Delhi.

The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) also claims support of Ekka and Rai.

The seven-member UPA council of Ministers led by Soren was sworn in yesterday.

BJP supporters have held up 315 Howrah-Bokaro UP train at Dugdai station at 8:35 hrs (IST), a report from Bokaro said.

The police have rushed in.

Most of the shops in the steel township downed shutters while there is thin traffic movement in the city.