The dawn-to-dusk Jharkhand bandh, called by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and supported by all major political parties in protest against the killing of JMM MP Sunil Mahato, evoked a spontaneous response with train services being badly hit.

The bandh, which began amidst tight security, was peaceful except for stray incidents of stone-pelting and road blockades at various places of the state, including Gamariah, where Mahato's residence is situated.

The bandh evoked near total response in Santhal Pargan region comprising Dumka, Sahebganj, Deogarh, Jamtara, Pakur and Godda, official sources said.

The response in Jamshedpur, Hazaribag and Dhanbad was also near total, they said.

Though roads were blocked at strategic points across the state, there was no untoward incident.

Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police, M S Bhatia, told PTI, "There are jams at a few places in Ranchi, but the bandh is incident-free."

Train services were badly hit at Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Pakur and other places while the Grand Trunk road wore a deserted look.

Long distance bus services were also affected by the bandh.

Though most educational institutions were closed, secondary board examinations were continuing as scheduled.

Emergency services like hospitals and water services have been exempted from the bandh supported by the Congress, BJP, CPI(M), CPI, RJD, AJSU and LJP.

Mahto was killed along with two of his bodyguards and a party colleague at Bakuria town, 40 km from Jamshedpur, on Sunday.