Congress’ 9-hour bandh cripples life in Odisha

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Bhubaneswar: A 9-hour ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by Congress over oil price hike crippled life in Odisha starting from the morning today.

Vehicular movement on the roads was affected in almost all major cities  in the state starting from 6 AM in the morning as Congress workers resorted to road blockades by burning tyres. In rural areas also, streets remained deserted and denizens had a tough time for various works as bandh supporters resorted to picketing.

While following a directive by State School and Mass Education Department earlier, the government schools remained closed other educational institutions also followed those to avert any untoward incidents.

In the state capital Bhubaneswar Congress activists staged road blockades at Vani Vihar, Acharya Vihar, Satsang Vihar, Master Canteen, Raj Mahal Squares. To maintain law and order situation, at least 20 platoons of police force have been deployed at various key points in the city. In addition to that, senior police officials have been deployed on duty to keep strict vigil on various sensitive places.

Train services were badly affected in the state as CPM joined hands with Congress and observed ‘Rail Roko’ at Cuttack, Puri, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Keonjhar and Jaleshwar Railway Stations during bandh observation since morning. While, Chennai-Kolkata Coromandel Express remained stranded at Jajpur Road Railway Station due to ‘Rail Roko’, Keonjhar-Bhubaneswar Fast Passenger train and Tata-Visakhapatnam Express was intercepted at Keonjhar Railway Station along with Sikandarabad-Gouhati Express at Bhadrak Manjari Railway Station.

Several DMUs also stopped by the protesters at other railway stations across the state, who resorted to sloganeering by sitting on the tracks.

Congress has given the bandh call to protest the sharp rise in fuel prices in the country in recent times, which it dubbed as Rs 11 lakh Crore ‘fuel loot’. It is demanding that petrol and diesel be brought within GST along with reduction of central excise duty and excessive VAT charged by states to end the problem.

Also Read: Congress’ Bharat Bandh: Odisha Government orders closure of schools on September 10

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