A bandh supporter smashes the rear windshield of a car in Ranchi on Wednesday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

A dawn-to-dusk bandh called by the CPI (ML) and supported by some tribal organisations, on Wednesday witnessed sporadic incidents of violence with mobs attacking and damaging vehicles in several parts of Ranchi.

The bandh was called to support the demand of returning land to Nagri residents that has been acquired by the state for setting-up three national cradles.

While most of the business establishments and educational institutions in the city downed shutters, vehicles — both public and private — preferred to stay off the roads in most areas for the fear of damage.

Groups of bandh supporters, armed with sticks, marched in various areas of Ranchi to enforce their diktat with several vehicles being attacked at Albert Ekka Chowk, Plaza Chowk, Kanke, Kamil Bulke Path and near Radium Road, among other places. Tyres were burnt at Kamil Bulke Path.

At Morabadi’s Chiraundi Basti, mobs barged into several houses, damaging property and leaving at least two people injured. St Xavier’s College suspended its classes from 10am.

Ranchi city SP Vipul Shukla, however, claimed that barring a few stray incidents, the situation remained normal across the city.

“We had taken around 400 bandh supporters into custody as a preventive measure but released them later around 4pm,” he said.