Bhubaneswar: In view of the call for a 12-hour statewide bandh on Wednesday by farmer and student organisations, Odisha’s Home Department has put the entire state on alert.
In a circular issued on Tuesday, Joint Secretary Sarat Chandra Marandi directed all Collectors and District Magistrates to stay prepared for possible road blockades, traffic disruption and tyre burning, and take necessary steps to maintain law and order.
Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) and Naba Nirman Yuva Chhatra Sangathan (NNYCS) have called the general strike from 6 am to 6 pm “over various demands.”
Pointing out that several Opposition parties, including the BJD, Congress and Left groups, have expressed support for the proposed bandh, district administrations have been directed to take preventive security steps to ensure government offices remain open and essential services like hospitals, ambulances, fire services and pharmacies are not disrupted.
The main issue of the protesters is a row over government school textbooks. It has been pointed out that newly-printed books for primary and middle classes contain more than 1,600 factual and printing errors. They have been demanding that the books be withdrawn, and also the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond.
