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Protests Disrupt Daily Life in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: On Tuesday, three separate bandhs across Odisha halted normal activities, with shops closed and vehicles off the streets.

In Salipur, located in Cuttack district, the opposition party Biju Janata Dal (BJD) enforced an eight-hour bandh from 6 AM to 2 PM, advocating for the town's designation as a Notified Area Council (NAC).

The bandh effectively paralyzed the town, leading to the closure of markets, shops, and transportation services.

Local MLA Prasanta Behera spearheaded a blockade on the busy Cuttack-Chandbali highway at Kuanpal Square, rallying party members and local residents.

"Residents of Salipur have been pursuing NAC status for over four decades. While the previous BJD administration initiated this process, the current BJP government has neglected our legitimate request," Behera stated.

In the Tarbha NAC of Sonepur district, various political groups, including the BJD, staged a 12-hour bandh to protest an assault on elected officials that occurred on August 12.

Reports indicate that a group of assailants attacked the block chairperson, a sarpanch, and a samiti member in broad daylight as they attempted to report alleged irregularities in block governance. The incident sparked widespread outrage, especially after video footage of the attack circulated.

The bandh aimed to demand accountability for the attackers.

Additionally, a 12-hour bandh took place in the G Udayagiri area of Kandhamal district, starting at 6 AM, calling for the relocation of a wild tusker responsible for three fatalities and crop destruction in recent months, according to local residents.

This bandh, backed by numerous organizations and residents from eight panchayats, resulted in a complete halt of vehicular traffic and the closure of local markets.