Koraput: Life was brought to a standstill in undivided Koraput region of Odisha in response to a 12-hour bandh call by a Joint Action Committee (JAC) and Koraput District Youth Congress in support of their demand for government job recruitments on district basis, especially junior teachers and Grade D employees.
The dawn-to-dusk bandh has affected life in four districts of undivided Koraput, including Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangari and Rayagada districts. The shutdown started from 6.00 am on Friday and will continue till 6.00 pm. Koraput District Sarpanch Association, Merchants Association, Swavimani Jeypore Association, District Mill Owners Association and Senior Citizens’ Association have extended support to the bandh call.
While public transport vehicles and trucks remained off the road, shops, business establishments, and academic institutions remained closed. Hundreds of trucks were seen lined up on both sides of the National Highway passing through the region.
The bandh protagonists have demanded that local youths be appointed in government jobs in the region. They pointed out that the state government has transferred 184 teachers and students to their respective districts as per undivided Korput District Spouse Act in the last two days. According to them, youths from other districts are getting employment in Koraput district but they move to other regions of the state after working here for two to three years.
“How will teachers, who do not know the language of the tribals, do not know the culture of the region, teach the students here,” a bandh supporter asked.
The Joint Action Committee has warned that the agitation will continue until the state government does not make local appointments in undivided Koraput district.
