Bandh disrupts normal life in Kandhamal

Kandhamal: Normal life was disrupted in the district due to a dawn-to-dusk bandh called by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) protesting the State government’s decision to ban the entry of the outfit’s president Praveen Togadia into the communally-sensitive district.

Shops and business establishments remained closed during the period and vehicular movement was also affected as VHP workers staged demonstrations at different places of the district.

However, educational institutions and emergency services remained operational as the organization has spared them from the 12-hour shutdown.

Meanwhile, adequate police force has been deployed at different sensitive areas of the district to avoid any untoward incident.

Responding to some Christian groups demand to ban Togadia’s visit to Phulbani, the district administration has restricted his entry and slapped a prohibitory order under Section 144 for a week across the district.

In the aftermath of the assassination of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati allegedly by pro-Church activists, 38 people were killed and thousands forced to flee their homes following widespread communal violence in the region in 2008.