Odisha bandh: Protesters halt vans carrying under-trial prisoners in Bhadrak

During the Odisha bandh, an unusual incident occurred in Bhadrak district as agitators blocked two prison vans outside the district court on Thursday, temporarily stranding several under-trial prisoners (UTPs) inside the vehicles.

The incident highlighted rising tensions during statewide protests.

Also Read: Odisha bandh leaves Koraput ITI students stranded on exam day; no postponement announced

According to sources, in a bizarre turn of events during the Odisha bandh, a group of protestors intercepted two prison vans outside the Bhadrak district court. The vans, which were transporting under-trial inmates from jail to court for their scheduled hearings, were forced to halt due to the blockade. The agitators, participating in the bandh, stood in front of the vehicle and delayed its movement for some time.

The incident caused a temporary disruption in court proceedings and drew attention to the vulnerability of judicial and law enforcement transport during such protests.

Prisoners remained inside the vans throughout the disruption, with no immediate reports of any violence or injury. Police later intervened to ensure the van reached the court safely.

Worth mentioning, the 12-hour Odisha Bandh was observed today, demanding justice for the deceased girl student of FM College in Balasore. The bandh triggered widespread disruption across the State and left hundreds of the general public in despair.

Among the worst affected were aspirants of the All India Industrial Training Institute (ITI) entrance exam, who found themselves stranded on the roads in the Koraput district.

As the statewide bandh called by Congress and supported by several other parties unfolded across major towns and cities, distressing scenes emerged from Balasore, where a critically ill patient was allegedly stranded without help after arriving from Angul district.