Title - Strike paralyses life in Jharkhand

Ranchi: Normal life in Jharkhand was affected with the nationwide strike called by various political parties, including ruling partners BJP and JMM in the state, in protest against FDI in multi-brand retail and hike in diesel price.

Slogan-shouting bandh supporters squatted on railway tracks in Koderma, Dhanbad and other places disrupting train services for over a couple of hours, railways sources said.

BJP activists also put up blockades on national highways, affecting vehicular traffic, to protest Centre's decision allowing FDI in retail, hike in diesel prices and limiting subsidised LPG cylinders.





Work at PSUs was affected following disruption of transportation of coal, iron ore, bauxite and other minerals in view of the stir.

Most educational institutions, shops and business establishments remained closed for the day.

"The BJP demands immediate roll back of diesel prices and limitation of subsidised LPG cylinders," party spokesman Pradip Sinha said at a gathering in Albert Ekka Chowk here.

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantric-JVM) president Babulal Marandi, JMM vice president Sudhir Mahto, RJD state unit president Girinath Singh and Left leaders also demanded immediate rollback of the decisions.

JMM and JVM are supporting the UPA government at the Centre.