Protest strike in state of Bihar

Mr Singh has been arrested [Pic: Prashant Ravi]

A day-long strike is being held in the Indian state of Bihar to protest against an attack on journalists by a member of the state assembly.

Legislator Anant Singh was arrested on Thursday after he assaulted journalists who had gone to interview him.

The journalists had gone to question the politician about his connection to the alleged rape and murder of a woman.

They said they were held at Mr Singh's house for two hours and beaten up by a group of more than 20 people.

The journalists said their equipment was also broken by the attackers.

Roads blocked

Schools and colleges are closed across Bihar and traffic has been disrupted at many places.

Protesters have blocked some roads leading up to the state capital, Patna.

The strike has been called by the opposition party in the state, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

RJD leader and former chief minister of Bihar, Rabri Devi, has condemned the attack on journalists.

Bihar's chief minister, Nitish Kumar, has promised a fair inquiry into the incident and asked federal police to investigate the murder.

Mr Singh belongs to the chief minister's governing Janata Dal (United) party and there are several criminal cases pending against him in court.

On Thursday, journalists in Bihar held a protest outside Mr Singh's house.

The politician was arrested along with four of his supporters and they have been remanded in jail for a fortnight.

Three of the journalists have been admitted to hospital. The condition of one of them is reported to be serious.