12-hour Bandh observed in Odisha’s Lathor town over NAC demand

Normal life came to a standstill in Lathor town under Khaprakhol block of Bolangir district on Monday as residents observed a 12-hour bandh from 6 AM to 6 PM, pressing for a three-point charter of demands.

Also Read: 12-hour bandh declared in Odisha's Sindhekela in Bolangir over NAC status demand

The key demands are granting Notified Area Council (NAC) status to Lathor, construction of a railway overbridge, and establishment of a Community Health Centre (CHC) in the town.

Calling out years of government apathy, locals alleged that Lathor has long been neglected in terms of infrastructure and development. The protest, marked by shuttered shops and disrupted transport, aimed to draw urgent attention to their issues.

In response, tight security arrangements were made with heavy police deployment across the town to avoid any untoward incident.

Despite the inconvenience caused to commuters and traders, the bandh remained peaceful and largely successful, with strong participation from residents.

The ball is now in the State government’s court, as citizens wait to see whether their long-standing demands will finally be addressed or not.

Not just Lathor, a few days ago, Sindhekela also observed a shutdown. A bandh (shutdown protest) has already been held in Bangomunda. There is an intense movement underway in Belpada. Tomorrow, Saintala will be shut down in protest.

The sole demand of residents is to declare these towns as NACs (Notified Area Councils). In the entire Bolangir district, only the Loisingha block has been declared an NAC so far.

However, no comments were received from the district administration in this regard.

Worth mentioning, previously, a 12-hour bandh was observed in Sindhekela on September 12 as the Nagarika Mancha (a local outfit) pressed for NAC status for Sindhekela panchayat under Bangomunda block.

The strike, called by local civic group, began in the morning and continued till 6.00 PM, with shops, markets, and business establishments remaining closed.