TV
Security has been significantly tightened across Odisha as eight political parties, including the Congress, observe a 12-hour statewide bandh today, demanding justice for a female student who died following a self-immolation attempt at Balasore’s Fakir Mohan Autonomous College.
The bandh, which began at 6 am and will continue until 6 pm, has resulted in partial disruption to daily life, with ground reports reporting protestors marching across vital stretches across major cities.
Drone Surveillance, Plainclothes Deployment in Bhubaneswar
In anticipation of protests, the Commissionerate Police in Bhubaneswar rolled out extensive security measures to ensure public order. High-resolution AI cameras and drones have been deployed at key intersections, markets, and government buildings to monitor gatherings in real time.
Police personnel in uniform and plain clothes have been stationed across sensitive zones, including Lok Seva Bhawan, Odisha Legislative Assembly, Rajiv Bhawan, and residences of prominent political leaders.
According to senior officials at the DGP’s office, the situation is being closely monitored through a central command setup, with senior officers deployed to oversee field operations.
Twin City Police Commissioner Sanjeeb Panda emphasised that while democratic protests are welcome, any deviation into violence or unlawful obstruction, such as attempts to block railway tracks, would invite strict legal action.
An hour into the strike, no major incidents of violence or law-and-order breach were reported, though the bandh’s impact remained visible in reduced traffic and closed markets in urban areas like Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Sambalpur.
Congress-Led Bandh Over Balasore Tragedy
The call for Odisha Bandh comes in the wake of widespread outrage over the death of the college student, which sparked demands from the opposition for accountability and justice.
Odisha Congress, along with other opposition parties, has demanded immediate action against those responsible and has used the bandh to amplify public pressure.
Reports indicate that vehicular movement in several parts of the state got disrupted since early morning, with Congress workers staging picketing demonstrations, road blockades, and rallies.
Many shops, educational institutions, and commercial establishments remained shut in support or caution, though emergency services such as ambulances, hospitals, and medicine stores were exempted from the bandh.
