Tuesday, November 15 2005 11:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jehanabad: Hundreds of Ranvir Sena sympathisers and members of the public today (Nov 15, 2005) descended on the streets of this South Bihar town, which is observing a 'spontaneous' bandh, even as police failed to make any arrests 37-hours after the naxalite attack on Sunday night (Nov 13, 2005).

Six additional companies of Central Para-Military Forces have arrived here to assist in anti-naxalite operations even as no arrests have been made during overnight raids in Makhdumpur and Barabar Hill areas, District Magistrate Rana Avadhesh told PTI.

Hundreds of supporters of the Ranvir Sena, a private militia of upper caste landowners at loggerheads with the naxalites and other members of the public have taken to streets since early morning as the town is observing a bandh in protest against the attack by Communist Party of India - Maoist (CPI-M) guerrillas, who were alleged to have kidnapped some hardcore sena activists.

The protestors shouting slogans against the administration and the DM blocked the Jehanabad-Arwal road by placing burning tyres and parking tractors and demonstrated in front of the jail.

Meanwhile, the DM claimed only five activists of the banned Ranvir Sena have been kidnapped and warned of stringent action against all other escapees if they did not return within 48-hours.

Nine activists of the Sena have so far been reported killed after being kidnapped but bodies of only four have been recovered so far, DM told PTI. Two policemen, a Warder and a Ranvir Sena leader Bade Sharma were killed in the attack by the Maoists on jail and police lines, he said.