Bhubaneswar, 17 July (H.S.): A dawn-to-dusk Odisha bandh called by the Congress party and backed by seven other opposition groups severely disrupted normal life across the state on Thursday. The bandh was organized in protest over the death of a student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, who allegedly died by suicide after facing repeated harassment by a faculty member.

The 12-hour bandh, which commenced at 6 AM and will continue till 6 PM, has led to widespread disruptions in road and rail traffic, and the closure of educational institutions, markets, and commercial establishments in several districts.

Congress workers, along with members of allied parties, staged demonstrations and picketed major roads and intersections, particularly in Balasore, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Sambalpur. Protestors blocked highways and railway tracks, leading to significant traffic congestion and delaying the movement of multiple passenger and express trains. Rail roko protests were staged at key stations, affecting hundreds of daily commuters.

In many areas, shops, markets, and private businesses remained closed in solidarity with the bandh call. Private educational institutions suspended classes, and attendance in government offices was noticeably low. However, essential services such as medical stores, hospitals, and ambulance operations were excluded from the bandh’s scope and continued to function without disruption.

Congress leaders accused the Odisha government of negligence in the FM College incident and demanded a high-level, time-bound investigation into the matter. They criticized the administration for its alleged inaction, which they claim contributed to the tragic outcome.

The bandh has sparked political debate in the state, with opposition parties pressing for justice and accountability, while the ruling party has yet to issue a formal response.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda