Locals call Brajarajnagar bandh after youth shot dead near bus stand

Jharsuguda: Local residents in Brajarajnagar town of Jharsuguda district today called for a dawn-to-dusk bandh protesting death of a youth in firing by some miscreants near the city bus stand yesterday evening.

While business establishments have been shut, vehicular movement has been heavily affected as irate locals staged road picketing at several places of the town. Hundreds of vehicles were also left stranded on National Highway-49 as the protesters staged a road blockade at Gandhi Chhak by burning tyres.

“We have called for a shutdown in the city protesting murder of our brother Amit Dhal. Some miscreants had also fired at a businessman on May 10. However, no one has been arrested yet. The law and order situation is deteriorating in the town with each passing day," said one of the protesters.

Police security has been tightened in the town to avoid any untoward incident. Police have also called local residents to hold back the protests to restore normalcy in the town.

Tension erupted in the town yesterday evening after two bike-borne miscreants reportedly fired five rounds of bullets at one Amit Dhal while he was playing cards along with his friends near Old Bus Stand yesterday.

Dhal, who sustained grievous injuries on his back, chest and hand, died on the way to Burla V.S.S. Medical College and Hospital.

Even though the accused are yet to be nabbed, police have recovered a bike and gun from the firing spot. A special team has been formed to nab the criminals.