Odisha Bandh: Congress Party's 12-Hour Shutdown Affects Normal Life in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Normal life was affected in the Odisha capital on Thursday as the Congress observed a 12-hour Odisha Bandh, with parties of the INDIA bloc extending support to the shutdown. Congress workers and supporters took to the streets and staged road blockades at several places in Bhubaneswar. Shops and business establishments remained closed in many areas, while vehicular movement was also affected. Tension prevailed at the Bhubaneswar Railway Station after Congress and All India Forward Bloc workers attempted to stage a Rail Roko protest. Police and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel stopped the protesters from proceeding towards the railway tracks and prevented them from disrupting train services. Senior leader Sura Routray was also present at the railway station, where heated scenes were witnessed as protesters attempted to move towards the tracks. Security personnel stopped the protesters and turned them back. The impact of the bandh was also visible at Master Canteen Square and Palasuni square where Congress workers blocked the road and stopped vehicles, urging commuters to support the shutdown. An Ama Bus was also stopped by the protesters and passengers were reportedly asked to get down. Two-wheelers, cars and autorickshaws were also stopped, forcing some passengers to continue their journeys on foot. In another incident, the windshield of an autorickshaw was allegedly damaged during the protest. The autorickshaw driver claimed that he was carrying a patient when his vehicle was stopped and attacked. Police personnel have been deployed at key locations across the capital to maintain law and order during the bandh. Watch the video here: