Bhubaneswar: The 12-hour statewide bandh called by eight opposition parties, including the Congress, brought normal life to a grinding halt in Odisha, with protests, rail roko demonstrations, and road blockades causing widespread disruptions.
According to reports, the bandh had a significant impact on transportation and daily life, with protesters blocking key national highways and railway stations across the state. In Bhubaneswar, hundreds of vehicles were stranded as Congress workers blocked NH-16 at Palasuni. Similarly, in Jajpur district, protesters blocked NH-16 at Jaraka Chhak, while in Sundargarh, Congress workers blocked the highway, causing disruptions to traffic. In Sambalpur, women Congress workers staged a rail roko at the railway station, affecting train services. Additionally, in Koraput, Congress workers blocked NH-26, further adding to the disruptions caused by the bandh. These blockades brought vehicular movement to a grinding halt, causing inconvenience to commuters and disrupting normal life.
In several places, including Balasore, Bhadrak and Cuttack, protestors took to the streets, blocking railway tracks and national highways, bringing traffic to a standstill. Rail roko demonstrations were held at in Bhadrak and Balasore, affecting the movement of several passenger and express trains and causing inconvenience to hundreds of commuters.
The bandh was observed in various parts of the state, including Jaleswar Town of Balasore district, Soro, Kamakhyanagar of Dhenkanal district, and Mayurbhanj, with protesters demanding justice for Soumyashree Bisi, who immolated herself after being harassed by a lecturer of the institution.
That apart, shops, markets, and business establishments remained shut in response to the bandh call, while educational institutions suspended classes as a precautionary measure. However, emergency services, including medical stores, hospitals, ambulance services, and other essential services, continued to function, remaining unaffected by the bandh.
The Congress party has intensified its demand for justice for Soumyashree Bisi, calling for the resignation of key state leaders, including the Education Minister, the local MLA, and the MP. The party alleged that these leaders failed to protect the student and her family, which led her to take drastic step.
In a strong appeal, the Congress has urged people from all sections of society to support the statewide bandh, emphasising the need for collective action to demand accountability and justice.
When it comes to security arrangements, the Commissionerate Police in Bhubaneswar has taken proactive measures to ensure public order and safety, deploying high-resolution AI cameras and drones at strategic locations to monitor the situation. A substantial police force, including 82 platoons of police personnel, was deployed in the twin cities to maintain law and order.
