Bhubaneswar: The Bharat Bandh being observed by various groups protesting caste-based reservation has affected normal life in several parts of the State, mostly Western Odisha.
Besides shops and other business establishments, banks, schools and colleges have remained closed in Bolangir due to the anti-reservation protests. Vehicular traffic was left disrupted in the town after some activists staged a road blockade in front of the district Collectorate by burning tyres.
Another group of protestors hit the railway station and halted the Tapaswini Express for nearly 20 minutes, disrupting train services for a while.
In Kalahandi, the bandh impact was majorly seen in areas like Jaipatna, Kalampur, Baner and Parla. All educational institutions have been shut whereas vehicular movement has been suspended due to picketing and road blockades at several places.
In Mayurbhanj, activists observed the bandh by staging picketing in Baripada, Rairangpur, Karanjia and Udala. Similarly, the Joint Action Committee of Boudh also joined the protest. All Government and private organizations have been closed due to the bandh.
Meanwhile, palpable tension prevailed in Nuapada as a group of people opposed the ongoing anti-reservation protests.
Police forces have been deployed at several places to avoid any untoward incidents during the bandh.