Bargarh: Normal life has been affected in Padmapur sub-division of the district due to a 12-hour bandh called by Sachetan Nagarik Manch demanding district status demand for Padmapur today.
According to sources, 32 other associations have extended their support towards the shutdown.
Local residents alleged that the district administration has been neglecting the region as several villages and blocks of Bargarh district are 150-160 kms away from the district headquarters. Special government programmes do not reach people of Padmapur as it falls in the bordering areas of Nuapada and Bargarh. The demand for district status to Padmapur has been long standing, they added.
The agitators further threatened to intensify their agitation until their demand of district status for Padmapur is met.
Schools, markets and business establishments remained closed during the shutdown. Vehicular movement also came to a standstill. However, emergency services have been kept out of the purview of the strike.
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Meanwhile, adequate security measures have been taken by the district administration to avoid any untoward incident.
Similarly, the lawyers' association and traders have been observing a 12-hour bandh in Purusottampur of Ganjam district over various demands including establishment of the sub-judge court.