BJP Observes Bandh In Odisha’s Mayurbhanj Protesting Blackout During President’s Event

Baripada: A dawn-to-dusk shutdown was observed in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Monday following a call by BJP ot protest blackout during President Droupadi Murmu’s address at the convocation of Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University at Baripada.

Normal life was disrupted due to the 12-hour bandh which began at 6 am across Mayurbhanj district. Shops, markets and financial institutions kept their shutters down, while schools, colleges and government offices were closed, sources said.

Vehicular movement was affected as BJP workers blocked National Highways 18 and 49 in the district. A large number of vehicles were stranded at different places.

Accordign to Mayurbhanj district BJP president Kandra Soren, the bandh evoked support from the people as a mark of protest against the the blackout that occurred at the university auditorium when the President, who hails from Mayurbhanj, was delivering the convocation speech on May 6.

The BJP leaders lashed out at the state government accusing it of  not taking action against those responsible for the blackout during the President’s event. They demanded stringent action against those responsible for the incident.

The President, who was on a three-day visit to her home district Mayurbhanj, was delivering the 12th convocation address at the auditorium of the university when the lights in the auditorium  suddenly went off.

While an employee of the electrical department of the university was suspended, a probe was ordered into the incident.