Bhanja Sena observes 4-hour Mayurbhanj bandh 

A local outfit, Bhanja Sena on Monday started observing a 4-hour shutdown in Mayurbhanj over alleged shortage of drinking water and lack of other basic facilities.

Vehicular movement was adversely affected due to the observation of the bandh from 6 am to 10 am. National Highway 18 which passed via

Baripada witnessed huge traffic jam and hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on both sides of the road.

“We have staged a protest for fulfillment of our five demands such as adequate safe drinking water for residents of Mayurbhanj, appointment of doctors at health care facilities, recruitment of teachers at school, uninterrupted power supply, and eradication of unemployment in the district,” said a protester.

The agitator said that the revival of the tourism industry in the district can create employment opportunities for the residents. 

“Though we had raised these issues several times earlier, our demands remained unaddressed due to lack of support of the local leaders,” he added.

The impact of the shutdown was felt across the district as the members of the Bhanja Sena staged road blockades on national and state highways by burning tyres.