KalingaTV News Network
Bargarh: Normal life was crippled in and around Bhatli town in the district in Odisha on Friday following a 12-hour bandh call given by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha activists protesting arrest of their leader Irasis Acharya.
Vehicular traffic on the roads came to a grinding halt in around Bhatli area due to the dawn-to-dusk bandh, while educational institutions and business establishments remained closed today.
The saffron activists also held a rally and resorted to picketing and road blockade in important junctions in the town.
Irasis was arrested on Thursday in connection with a firing case that had taken place at the BJP office in Bhatli on June 1 this year. A 20-year-old youth Bulu Satnami of Sohela had died in the firing incident.
Bargarh ASP Jashobanta Senapati said the incident took place at Irasis’s house at Bhatli, where the BJP office was functioning.
Irasis was arrested based on the statement given by his bodyguard, Pramod Podh, besides other evidence, Senapati added.
However, supporters of Irasis claimed that the arrest was made at the behest of Energy Minister Susanta Singh as the young BJP leader was the strong contender for Bhatli Assembly segment in next polls.
Ms Kalinga