Bharat bandh: Sharad Yadav, Shahnawaz Hussain detained

PATNA: NDA convener and JD-U national president Sharad Yadav and BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain were among 800 activists taken into custody while enforcing the NDA sponsored " Bharat bandh" in Bihar to protest the petrol price hike.

Yadav along with 700 odd supporters took out processions in Saharsa town to enforce the call. Yadav along with NDA supporters were soon taken into custody in Sahars sadar police station, sources said.

Hussain, the BJP National Spokesman, and others were detained in Bhagalpur town while trying to enforce the bandh, they said.

Talking to reporters, Yadav demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh resign immediately for "failure" of his government to control the spiralling prices of petroleum products and essential commodities.

Yadav claimed the bandh was total. Ruling JD-U and BJP leaders also took out processions in the state capital to enforce the call.