Normal life including vehicular movement in several parts of Mayurbhanj district has been affected on Monday as BJP activists are observing a 12-hour bandh in the district over several demands.
The dawn-to-dusk bandh which started from 6 am has been called by the saffron party demanding the fulfilment of 16-point charter of demands including the arrest of the main accused who chased and attacked BJP and JMM supporters for staging a protest and waving black flags at Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his visit to Baripada last Friday .
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Similarly, suspension of Minister of State for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra over his alleged close links with Gobinda Sahu, the main accused in the murder case of Kalahandi district lady teacher Mamita Meher, reopening of Ayurvedic College and proper treatment at PRM Medical College and Hospital at Baripada are some of the other demands of the BJP.
As per reports, the BJP members including the workers of the party’s women wing picketed at Palabani Chhak on National Highway-49 in Baripada disrupting traffic movement on the route. The BJP supporters also stopped vehicles at Udala, Karanjia and Rairangpur.
Markets, shops also remained shut throwing life out of gear in the district.
“The way Mamita was murdered, burnt and buried murder is an example of a heinous mentality and Minister Dibya Shankar should be axed from his post for his links with a murderer. Besides, it is saddening to see the Minister accompanying CM Naveen during the latter’s visit to Baripada,” said a BJP activist.
Another agitating worker said, “We condemn the hooliganism of BJD workers who attacked our workers, local people and journalists during the CM’s visit to the town. They are trying to suppress our voice. At a time when 60 per cent of posts of doctors are lying vacant in several hospitals Mayurbhanj, only distributing BSKY health cards will serve no purpose. This is just an election stunt to garner votes,” he added.