M A I N   N E W S

Manhunt for RJD MP
Streets deserted in Siwan
Santosh Jha

Patna, March 18
The entire Siwan area was sealed and the Army and paramilitary forces launched a massive combing operation on Sunday to arrest the controversial MP of Siwan, Md. Shahabuddin who has so far refused to surrender.

The Army staged a flag march on the second consecutive day on a stretch of 20 km, between Siwan town and Husseinganj and the situation is said to be tense but under control. Till the filing of report the MP was evading arrest.

In the meantime an RJD delegation comprising five Cabinet ministers, Shakuni Chowdhary, Shivanand Tiwary, Pitambar Paswan, Monajir Hassan and Aizazul Haque, visited the village of the MP, Paratappur today.

On return to Siwan they informed that the Army was called as the district police ‘revolted’ and the government would probe the police action.

The DIG, Muzaffarpur Range, Mr M K Sinha, said for four hours today the Army carried out a flag march to instil confidence in the residents. However reports said on Sunday that largely the shops were closed in Siwan and the streets wore a deserted look. Despite the positioning of the paramilitary around the village of the MP, a large number of villagers have fled their homes fearing police and Army attack.

Official sources in Patna said more paramilitary reinforcements had been rushed to Siwan in view of the gravity of the situation.

In the Friday clashes between the police and the MP supporters, 13 persons including two cops, were killed.

Meanwhile, the Bihar Policemen’s Association has blamed the state administration for its ‘lackadaisical approach in arresting the MP.