Dhanbad: The nationwide bandh sponsored by Dalit groups against a Supreme Court order affected normal life in the coal capital's Jharia, Katras, Putki, Kendua and Loyabad areas on Monday, but didn't have much of an impact in neighbouring Bokaro.

Markets in the coal town remained closed and modes of public transport (auto-rickshaws and buses) were off roads. Government offices, schools and colleges remained open, but attendance was thin. In Bokaro, markets stayed open and commuting options were available.

FLASHPOINTS

Dhanbad town: Over 200 bandh enforcers blocked Randhir Verma Chowk around noon, preventing movement of vehicles, including those of sessions and special CBI judge Sanjay Kumar, rural SP Ashutosh Shekhar and Dhanbad SDO Ananya Mittal.

Jharia: More than 100 bandh supporters, armed with bamboo poles, blocked Gaushala More around 8am. They stopped vehicles and raised slogans. Police lathi-charge quelled the protest at 10am, but roadblock resumed after an hour. It finally ended around 1pm.

Katras: Another group of 80 marched to Katras More and raised anti-government slogans. Police managed to drive them away within an hour.

Bokaro: Over 100 members of Bhim Sena blocked Garga bridge, and Naya More for over two hours from 10am

TRACKS TROUBLE

Rail services were briefly hit as bandh supporters blocked a Bhojudih-bound train for 10 minutes from 9.45am at Khanudih station.

AUTHORITY SPEAK

Dhanbad SSP Manoj Ratan Chothe said no violence was reported in the district. "We have arrested 1,034 protesters," said a news release.