12-hour Athagarh Bandh observed over district status demand

Athagarh observed a complete 12-hour shutdown (Bandh) on Wednesday following a call by the Athagarh Zilla Kriyanusthan Committee (AZKC), demanding district status for the region in Cuttack. The bandh was enforced from 6.00 AM to 6.00 PM, significantly disrupting normal life.

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According to sources, the 12-hour Bandh is being observed in Athagarh, demanding district status for the town, under the banner of a local outfit. A protest demonstration was staged by the committee at Athagarh–Chandbali Chhak of the town.

Protesters staged demonstrations at the Chhak on state highway (SH-65), while shops and markets remained closed and vehicular movement was halted. The Bandh received strong support from various local organisations, including intellectual forum, sahitya samaj, urban senior citizens’ forum, Gadajat Parikrama, and retired defence personnel association.

The committee has stated that its demand for district status has been conveyed to the State government through the District Collector. Athagarh Sub-Collector asserted that all essential services in the town will remain operational during the shutdown.

The committee also said that the people of Athagarh have fully supported the shutdown by closing the lanes, squares, shops, and markets, and expressed hope that this shutdown will have an impact on the government.

When contacted, the outfit convener Lalatendu Senapati said, “A call for Athagarh bandh was given by the zilla kriyanusthan committee. By 10.00 AM today, a complete shutdown was witnessed, and it seems the protest is entirely successful.”

“We have been demanding a district status since 1992. Our demand has not been met so far due to the apathetic attitude and lack of willpower of the political leaders. Presently, the population of Athagarh subdivision is more than 6 lakh. It has four tehsils, four blocks, and three NACs (Notified Area Councils),” the outfit convener stated.

The protest will continue unless and until the demand is met, Senapati added.