Bhubaneswar, 19 December (H.S.): A 12-hour bandh is being observed across Sambalpur district on Friday to protest alleged irregularities in the procurement of kharif paddy. The shutdown, which began at 6 am, will continue until 6 pm, with shops, markets, offices and commercial establishments remaining closed throughout the day.

The bandh has been called by the Sambalpur Krushak Suraksha Sangathan, with hundreds of farmers participating in the protest to highlight their grievances related to paddy procurement. The organisers clarified that the protest is peaceful in nature and that there will be no blockade of national highways or railway lines during the shutdown.

As part of the bandh, government and private offices, banks, educational institutions and business establishments are remaining closed across the district. However, essential services have been kept outside the purview of the shutdown to ensure that the public does not face inconvenience.

Authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation to maintain law and order, while protestors continue to demand corrective measures in the paddy procurement process.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda