Mayurbhanj: A 24-hour bandh called by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Thursday in support of the tribal outfit’s 15-point charter of demand has brought normal life to a standstill in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
Since early morning today, the bandh supporters were seen holding pickets at important places in the district bringing vehicular traffic to a halt. Hundreds of vehicles were seen stranded on the National and state highways passing through the district. The bandh supporters also blocked roads in Baripada and stopped the Tata-Badampahar MEMU local train near Bhalad in the Rairangpur subdivision.
All educational institutions, business establishments, and offices remained closed, while the roads wore a deserted look. However, schools were open in some parts of the district.
JMM workers held rallies seeking support for the bandh at various places. According to Akash Singh, JMM Youth president of Mayurbhanj district, said that they called the bandh to press for their demand for the inclusion of the Mundari language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, make Ho and Mundari the second language of Odisha, regularisation of jobs of private teachers and recognition to Sarna religion are among the few demands of the JMM, he said.
