TV
A 12-hour Odisha Bandh called by Congress and seven other opposition parties demanding justice for the deceased Balasore college student brought life to a standstill in key urban centres of the state on Thursday.
Sources reported that about two hours after the start of the strike, the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack witnessed intense picketing, traffic blockades, and confrontations between protesters and police, severely affecting public transport and daily routines.
Protests at Railway Stations, Roads Blocked
In Bhubaneswar, hundreds of Congress workers staged demonstrations near the railway station. Tensions flared when agitators attempted to storm the platforms to stop ongoing rail services. Security personnel deployed at the site swiftly intervened, leading to brief scuffles and preventing disruption to scheduled train operations.
Protestors also set tyres ablaze and blocked major roads, adding to the traffic paralysis in the state capital.
In both cities, authorities remained on high alert, and drone surveillance was reportedly in place to monitor protest hotspots.
Commuters Stranded, Buses Off Roads
Bus services from major terminals in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack were disrupted from early morning, leaving many commuters, especially those arriving from outside the city, stranded with no onward options. Autos and taxis were also stopped at several junctions, compounding the inconvenience for office-goers and daily wage earners.
Passengers were seen walking with luggage in search of transport, with several reporting delays and a lack of clarity over alternative arrangements.
“I have to catch my train at Bhubaneswar Railway Station, but no auto-rickshaw or taxi is willing to go to Master Canteen. I have several bags of luggage to carry and now have no clue how to reach the station,” said a tourist.
Mixed Impact on Essential Services
In Cuttack, Congress workers picketed at key intersections, enforcing closures of businesses, markets, and educational institutions. Though emergency services were officially exempt from the bandh, some confusion prevailed.
While a few medicine stores remained open, others were found shuttered. Government-run city buses in Cuttack were spotted operating with limited frequency, but many stayed off the roads entirely.
Despite the disruption, no major violence was reported till noon. Police officials confirmed that adequate security had been deployed to manage crowd control and protect essential infrastructure.
Bandh Till 6 PM
The bandh was called in response to the death of a female student in Balasore’s Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, who had attempted self-immolation on campus last week. The incident sparked outrage across the political spectrum, with opposition parties alleging negligence and demanding a judicial probe.
While Congress leaders maintained that the bandh would remain peaceful, the administration has urged all parties to maintain law and order and avoid causing hardship to the public.
Authorities confirmed that normalcy is expected to return by evening as the bandh concludes at 6 PM.
