RANCHI, (PTI): The 15-day ‘economic blockage’ by the Jharkhand tribes of the northeaster Indian state of Bihar to press their demand for a separate state began on Sept.15 in the tribal areas of the state.

The blockade called by the Jharkhand People’s Party (JPP) and the All Jharkhand Students’ Union (AJSU), launched with the motive of stalling production, loading and dispatch of minerals, forest products and coal from the region, was reported to be peaceful so far.

Reports available at the divisional headquarters here said production during the first shift in most collieries of the Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) and Bharat Coking Coalfields Limited (BCCL) remained unaffected.

However, transportation of coal from various collieries disrupted since Sept. 14, by the agitators during their 24-hour ‘Jharkhand Bandh,’ has not yet been restored.

The blockade, second phase of the agitational program of AJSU and JPP, has been called to press the center to concede their demand for formation of a separate Jharkhand state,

Life came to halt, rail and road services were disrupted and bomb blasts and arson rocked eastern state of tribal southern Bihar wounding 16 persons during the one-day “Jharkhand Bandh” (general strike) Tuesday.

Incidents of violence and sabolage were also reported from the Mayurbhanj district of Eastern state of Orissa, bordering Bihar, even before the strike began at 0600 IST.

The general strike called by the All Jharkhand Students’ Union (AJSU) and Jharkhand Peoples’ Party (JPP) to press for a separate Jharkhand state, comprising 24 districts of Eastern Indian states of Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.

The president of all Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Dev Sharan Bhagat, warned of an “explosive situation” if the Indian government failed to concede its demand for a separate Jharkhand state in principle immediately.

The general strike is to be followed by a 15-day “economic blockade” from Wednesday. Altogether 450 persons were arrested.

Three bombs exploded in the Bazar area in Ranchi town, while six powerful ones believed to have been manufactured abroad, were seized from two places in the town. Several bombs were also seized from two places in the town. Several bombs were also seized from different areas of the region.

Train services were paralyzed in some areas and railway protection force was brought in to clear tracks and restore normal services.

In Patna, the Bihar chief minister, Laloo Prasad Yadav accused the central government of “aiding and abetting” the Jharkhand movement which, he said was “part of an international conspiracy.”

Article extracted from this publication >> September 25, 1992