Bhubaneswar: An eight-hour-long bandh was observed in Tihidi block of Bhadrak district on Saturday over Notified Area Council (NAC) status for the block.
Members of various organisations united under the banner of Tihidi Citizen Forum announced bandh in the main market.
The bandh is observed from 6 am to 2 pm.
The bandh paralysed normal life as commercial establishment remained shut and vehicular traffic was hit.
During the bandh, government and private offices, businesses, educational institutions and shops remained closed.
Agitators were seen picketing at several key points and staging a demonstration at Tihidi Block.
Protesters alleged that Tihidi is being neglected even though it has fulfilled all parameters for NAC for many years.
Similarly, a 24-hour bandh has been observed in G Udaygiri of Kandhamal for sub-division status.
Various social outfits and general public under the banner of
United Action Committee staged a road blockade at various points bringing vehicular movement into a grinding halt. Schools, government offices and business establishments have remained shut due to the bandh.
Normal life has been disrupted due to the bandh in the town