Thursday, July 7 2005 15:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: A statewide bandh called by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and several other organisations to protest against Tuesday's terror strike at Ayodhya, began in Bihar this (July 7, 2005) morning amidst tight security.

All schools and colleges in the state capital were functioning and vehicular traffic seen as usual. While, shops remained open in the residential localities, official reports said.

Rail traffic was also reported to be normal, East Central Railway sources said. The BJP has extended moral support to the bandh call.

Besides VHP, Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh, Sanskar Bharti, Bhartiya Siksha Manch and Bharat Vikash Parishad have jointly called the bandh to register protest against ''failure'' of the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government, which led to the attack by terrorists.