Bhubaneswar, 08 October (H.S.): Normal life was disrupted across Odisha on Thursday as the INDIA bloc observed a 12-hour statewide bandh from 6 am to 6 pm. Public transport services were affected at several places, while protesters blocked roads and allegedly resorted to force to stop vehicles, leading to heated exchanges with commuters.

The Congress, along with eight other opposition parties, had called the bandh and appealed to people to keep vehicles off the roads and shut shops, markets, commercial establishments and offices.

The shutdown was called over four key demands, including withdrawal of the MMDR Act, resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over alleged irregularities in textbooks, and immediate and adequate relief for families affected by floods in the state.

Essential services, including hospitals, ambulances, fire and rescue services, medicine shops, milk supply, examinations and media personnel, were kept outside the purview of the bandh.

Bus and Auto Services Hit

Public transport bore the brunt of the shutdown, causing inconvenience to daily commuters across the state.

Although the state private bus owners’ association did not support the bandh, bus services were disrupted at several locations amid protests, road blockades and picketing.

The Nikhila Utkal Auto Chalak Sangha also decided to keep auto-rickshaws off the roads, citing security concerns. The move further affected commuters who depend on autorickshaws for their daily travel.

In Bhubaneswar, protesters blocked roads and stopped vehicles at several locations. At Master Canteen Square, the movement of buses and autorickshaws came to a halt as opposition workers staged demonstrations.

Protesters Accused of Forcefully Stopping Vehicles

Despite the INDIA bloc’s appeal to its workers to maintain discipline and conduct the bandh peacefully, incidents of protesters using pressure to stop vehicles were reported from several parts of the state.

In Bhubaneswar, commuters faced difficulties as protesters stopped vehicles and prevented people from proceeding to their destinations. Heated exchanges were reported between bandh supporters and members of the public who had stepped out for work and other essential activities.

At Master Canteen Square, some Congress workers reportedly intercepted a truck and forced the driver to turn back.

Protesters also stopped two-wheelers at several locations, disrupting the movement of commuters. In one incident, a person who was reportedly taking his child to school had a heated argument with Congress and CPI(M) workers after they stopped his motorcycle.

The incidents highlighted the difficulties faced by ordinary commuters despite the bandh organisers’ earlier appeal for a peaceful and democratic protest.

Traffic Movement Affected

The bandh affected traffic movement in several parts of Bhubaneswar and other areas of the state. Road blockades and protests at key junctions resulted in disruption of normal vehicular movement.

Police and district administrations maintained a close watch on sensitive locations to prevent any escalation and ensure that essential services continued without interruption.

The bandh remained in force from 6 am to 6 pm, with authorities monitoring the situation across the state.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda