Kandhamal: Normal life was affected as the Kandhamal Surakshya Abhiyan has been observing a 12-hour bandh in the district today in connection with an incident where a class VIII school girl delivered a baby at a residential school.
The outfit demanded immediate release of compensation for the kin of the schoolgirl and demanded resignation of ministers and stringent actions against other officials in connection with the incident.
“We are demanding compensation for the victim and dismissal of concerned officials. The bandh is observed in a peaceful manner from 6 AM to 6 PM and we have urged the locals to participate in the shutdown,” convener of the outfit, Pratap Jena said.
Sources said various social outfits and political parties including the BJP have extended their support towards the bandh.
According to sources, the saffron party have demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident and strict action against persons involved in the case.
“Our main demand is a judicial enquiry into the incident and transfer of the district Collector, dismissal and strict action against other concerned officials,” president of Kandhamal BJP unit, Lingaraj Dalabehera said.
Members of the outfit and the saffron party workers were seen agitating and picketing at various places in the district disrupting normal life.
Schools, markets and business establishments remained closed during the shutdown whereas vehicular movement came to a standstill due to the bandh. However, emergency services have been kept out the purview of the strike.
Meanwhile, adequate security measures have been taken by the district administration to avoid any untoward incident.