KalingaTV News Network
Kendrapara: Normal life was completely paralysed across Pattamundai in the district on Tuesday following a 6-hour bandh observed by Congress in demand for sub division status to the block.
The bandh observed by Pattamundai Block Congress and Nagar Congress witnessed an overwhelming support from locals with a number of groups including youth associations, students’ and traders’ unions as well as intellectuals extending their support to it.
Educational institutions including schools and colleges, shops and other business establishments remained closed during the bandh observation. Similarly, vehicular traffic on the roads in the area was brought to a grinding halt as the bandh supporters led by Rajanagar MLA Ansuman Mohanty resorted to blockade and picketing at several places in Pattamundai town.
Congress has criticised the state government’s dilly dally in upgrading Pattamundai as a subdivision by claiming that the block fulfills all the criteria needed for the same.
“Sub division demand for Pattamundai is there since 1993, soon after Kendrapara became a new district. Rajanagar MLA has placed the demand before a Standing Committee of Odisha Assembly for at least three times in past but the government is yet to take any step in this direction. If government fails to act immediately on the issue we would take the protest to the state capital Bhubaneswar and stage a gherao of Revenue Minister as well Chief Minister’s residence in the coming days,” cautioned Pattamundai Nagar Congress President Pradeep Pradhan.
Kalinga AI