TV
As the statewide Odisha bandh called by the Congress and supported by several parties unfolded across major towns and cities on Thursday, distressing scenes emerged from Balasore where a critically ill patient and his relative were allegedly left stranded without help after arriving from Angul, unaware of the shutdown.
According to sources, the patient and his relative reportedly arrived in Balasore early this morning for urgent medical care, only to find public transport crippled by the 12-hour bandh. With no vehicles operating and the area’s bus stand deserted, the duo broke down in tears and were caught completely off guard by the protests.
Visuals from the scene showed the patient’s attendant pleading for help as they sat helpless near the entrance of the bus terminal. Witnesses say the relative was visibly shaken and unaware of the bandh prior to travel.
Moved by their plight, local residents offered water and food, and ultimately arranged for an 108 ambulance to transport the patient to the hospital. “We couldn’t just watch them suffer. No one should be denied medical care because of a protest,” said a local resident who helped coordinate the response.
Anger Mounts Over Public Inconvenience
The incident, widely shared across social media, has intensified criticism of the bandh's impact on common people. Residents in Balasore voiced their frustration, stating that while the protest may have justification, it should not come at the cost of human suffering.
“There is growing resentment in the locality,” said another resident. “This is not the first time a bandh has caused pain to ordinary citizens. It's time to draw a line. Repeated shutdowns are playing with people’s lives. This scene, which unfolded here, is appalling,” he added.
Odisha Bandh To Last Till 6 PM
The bandh was called by Congress and seven other political parties in protest against the recent death of a girl student who attempted self-immolation at Balasore’s Fakir Mohan Autonomous College.
While the parties behind the strike claimed it was conducted peacefully, ground reports from various districts, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Koraput, and now Balasore, suggest severe inconvenience to the public.
From stranded students attempting to appear for national-level exams, to commuters denied medical passage, and workers facing pay cuts due to absence, the shutdown has brought major cities to a standstill.
Notably, the Odisha bandh, which began at 6 am today, will continue until 6 pm this evening.
