12-hour bandh over sub-division status for Aska hits life

Aska: Normal life was crippled in Aska of Ganjam district on Saturday owing to a dawn-to-dusk bandh called by lawyers demanding sub-division status for the town.
Business establishments, shops, markets and educational institutions mostly remained closed. Vehicular movement was affected as lawyers under the banner of Aska Lawyers’ Association and members of Milita Kriyanusthana Committee staged blockades at Badanadi and Rusikulya bridges on NH-59 by burning tyres.
“The district administration must take immediate steps to declare Aska as a sub-division and appoint adequate doctors and supporting staff at Aska hospital,” an agitator said. The other demand is to make Aska Notified Area Council a municipality.
Heavy police forces have been deployed in the town and nearby places to prevent any untoward incident.