Patna, Nov 24 (IANS) A day-long strike called by the the Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist (CPI-ML) began Tuesday in Bihar with reports of violence from different parts of the state. Normal life was hit as road and rail traffic were disrupted at several places by the strike supporters.
The strike has been called to protest the Nitish Kumar government’s alleged failure on all fronts after being in power for four years.

In the early hours the strike evoked a mixed response, a police officer said.

Bihar’s main opposition party Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Bahujan Samaj Party have extended their support to the state-wide strike.

The CPI-ML strike coincides with the day Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is scheduled to release a report card on his performance.

In view of the strike, elaborate security arrangements have been made in the state, police said. “Additional security forces have been deployed at all sensitive pockets, national highways and railway tracks during the strike,” a police officer said.

CPI-ML general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said that the people, particularly the poor, have been left in the lurch by the Nitish Kumar government in the last four years.