Bhubaneswar, 16 April (H.S.) : Normal life was significantly disrupted in Birmaharajpur area of Odisha’s Sonepur district on Thursday as a 12-hour bandh was observed following tensions over an alleged incident during an Ambedkar procession.
The shutdown, enforced from 6 am to 6 pm, was called by Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad after claims emerged that a photograph of Lord Shri Ram was torn during a procession held on Wednesday. The incident reportedly triggered strong reactions, leading to the call for the bandh.
The impact of the shutdown was widespread across the town. Shops and commercial establishments remained closed, while both government and private offices suspended operations. Educational institutions also remained shut for the day. Vehicular movement was severely affected, with roads largely deserted and public transport operating minimally.
Members of Bajrang Dal staged picketing at multiple locations to enforce the bandh, contributing to the near-complete shutdown of normal activities. Residents largely stayed indoors, and only essential movement was reported during the day.
Authorities maintained strict vigilance to prevent any escalation of tensions. Police personnel were deployed at sensitive locations across Birmaharajpur to ensure law and order. Officials confirmed that security arrangements were intensified, and continuous monitoring was carried out to avoid any untoward incidents.
Despite the disruption, essential services were kept under close watch to ensure that there were no major inconveniences to the public. Law enforcement agencies coordinated efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Condemning the alleged act, organisers demanded strict action against those responsible for hurting religious sentiments. A case has been registered at the local police station, and an investigation is currently underway.
Local residents also expressed support for the bandh, stating that the incident had deeply hurt public sentiments. Authorities have urged people to remain calm and cooperate with the administration as the investigation progresses.
Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
