Mixed response to Maoist bandh

Rourkela: The bandh called by Maoists in Odisha`s Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts, bordering Jharkhand, evoked mixed response today. Buses from the three districts to Jharkhand stopped plying and vehicular traffic on NH-23 and 215 was affected since late last night, police sources said.

Shops and business establishments in interior areas too downed their shutter, the sources said. Work in mines at Kalta, Barsuan and Koida in Sundargarh district and at several places in Keonjhar was affected as workers did not turn up due to the shutdown call. However, goods train services from Rourkela to Bimlagarh and Barsuan plied as usual.

DIG (Western Range) Y.K.Jethua said intensive patrolling and combing operation were continuing in the Maoist pockets bordering Jharkhand and West Bengal. The Chhotnagpur division of CPI (Maoist) has given the shut-down call in protest against killing of top Maoist leader Kishenji in West Bengal.