Normal life badly was affected in Bihar today due to dawn to dusk Bihar band called by the chief minister Nitish Kumar demanding special category status to the state. From early morning hundreds of ruling Janata Dal(United) supporters disrupted train services and blocked roads at many places to enforce a statewide band.

Chief public relation officer, East Central Railway said that almost 40 express and 28 passenger trains were affected due to the agitation. The main market and commercial establishment were also closed in the state capital Patna and others district headquarters. AIR Patna correspondent reports that drawing inspirations from the satyagrah of Mahatama Gandhi, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar marched to Gandhi Maidan from his residence and observed a day long fast in support of his demand.

In Jharkhand, normal life was today affected due to the statewide bandh called by three political parties demanding special status for the state. Police said, hundreds of activists of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik), AJSU party and Janata Dal (U) were arrested from different parts of the state while they were enforcing the bandh.

Movement of trains was affected in several parts of the state following squatting on tracks by bandh supporters. Vehicular traffic was also disrupted causing hardships to people. Loading and unloading of minerals in different districts was affected as several trucks were off the road. According to agency reports, bandh evoked a mixed response in 14 districts while it was almost total in ten other districts.