Bandh against brown sugar trade cripples life in Baripada

Baripada: Normal life has been crippled in Mayurbhanj district headquarters town today due to a dawn-to-dusk bandh called by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in protest against the police and excise department’s inefficiency to control rampant drugs business.

Alleging a stiff rise of crime record in the town due to illegal business of brown sugar and other contraband items, the party activists blocked roads and rail tracks bringing the vehicular communication and train services to a grinding halt.

Hundreds of protesters were seen sitting on the railway track near the station raising slogan and waving party flags. Various trains, including Bangiriposi-Bhubaneswar superfast stopped at Baripada station. A large number of passengers were left stranded at the railway station.

Vehicular movement virtually came to a standstill in many places in the district with the party supporters blocking the NH 18 by burning tyres and putting hurdles.

Shops, business establishments, markets, educational institutions were closed in the city as JMM activists picketed to enforce the bandh.

Tight security arrangements have been made to prevent any untoward incident during bandh, police said.