AURANGABAD: The CPI (Maoist) has called for 24-hour Magadh bandh on Thursday to protest against the arrest of Maoist leader Rajesh Bhokta and a former mukhiya Manu Yadav. The duo were arrested by the police last Friday.

Police sources said the bandh has been called in Magadh division which includes Gaya, Aurangabd, Jehanabad, Arwal and Nawada districts.

The Maoists had put up posters in several places in eastern parts of the district announcing the bandh beginning Wednesday midnight. Posters were first spotted near SN Sinha College here on Wednesday morning, said police sources.

Aurangabad SP Satyprakash said all units of the CRPF, CoBRA and district police have been put on high alert ahead of the bandh.

“They have also been asked to beef up security around public places, especially at railway stations and bus depots which could be soft targets of the Maoists. Meanwhile, police and paramilitary forces will also continue to patrol Maoist-hit areas along the national highways and the railway tracks,” said the SP.