Titlagarh: A 12-hour bandh observed by Titlagarh Kriyanusthan Committee crippled normal life in Titlagarh block of Balangir district on Friday.
Almost all shops, business establishments, offices and educational institutions remained closed, while vehicles stayed off the road at various places in response to the strike.
The agitators staged road blockades at major junctions and picketed at different places in the block to press for their demands.
“Titlagarh is a vast area comprising a number of towns and panchayats. Hence, it should immediately upgraded to a district. This has been the demand of the locals before the state government since the last 25 years. But, the government has turned a deaf ear to it,” an agitator said.
The members of the committee also threatened to boycott the upcoming Lokakala Mahotsav to be held in the block.
