The 24-hour bandh called by the CPI (Maoists) crippled normal life mostly in rural areas of Bermo and Giridih on Friday. Rural markets remained close while long distance buses and coal dumpers, trucks stayed off the road across the subdivision and district.
Buses stood still at the bus stands while coal dumpers came to a halt wherever they were after Thursday midnight. All schools, public sector banks, post office at Bokaro thermal, Kathara, Gomia in Bermo and Pirtardh and Dewari in Giridih were shut down or recorded low attendance in Government school fearing untoward incidents. Giridih police maintained extra vigil, especially in Pirtard and Dewari block of Giridih falling in Maoist-infested areas following a Maoist attack in Giridih recently.
Superintendent of police Giridih Karanti Kumar said “High alert was sounded in sensitive police station areas. Contingents of district police and CRPF were deputed at all sensitive and vulnerable places,” said the SP.