Kandhamal: Normal life was hit in the district today due to a 12-hour dawn-to-dusk bandh being observed by the BJP Mahila Morcha over alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in Kotagarh and sex tape of BJD’s ex-MLA from Phulbani, Debendra Kanhar.
Business establishments, educational institutions and government offices remained closed while vehicular movement in the district came to a grinding halt.
BJP Mahila Morcha activists were seen staging pickets at important junctions in the district and demanding dismissal of the district Collector and Superintendent of Police. They also demanded compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the family members of the deceased minor and death sentence to the culprit.
Sources said Baliguda, Tumudibandha, Raikia, Daringibadi, K.Daringibadi and G.Udayagiri were worst affected due to the bandh.
Kandhamal BJP Mahila Morcha leader Archana Pradhan said, "The district administration is not paying attention to security of women due to which rape of minor girls in on the rise.”
Similarly, Kandhamal district BJP President, Lingaraj Dalabehera said, "We support Mahila Morcha’s demands for stringent action against the culprits through a fast track court trial and demand immediate arrest of the former MLA Debendra Kanhar otherwise we will intensify our protest in the coming days"
On the other hand, the BJD termed the shutdown as a gimmick to take political mileage.
“The law will take its own course of action and culprits will be arrested and punished under law," said Anima Kanhar, Leader of Biju Mahila Janata Dal, Kandhamal.
Meanwhile, the district administration has deployed adequate security measures to avoid any untoward incident during the shutdown.