Balangir: Normal life was thrown out of gear and vehicular movement remained paralysed in Balangir town on Thursday due to a two-day bandh called by Congress demanding construction of bypass outside the town.
Almost all shops, business establishments, offices and educational institutions remained closed in response to the strike.
Vehicles stayed off the road at several places as hundreds of party activists took out a huge rally and covered the town and other nearby areas to press for their demand.
“Construction of bypass outside the town will help in preventing road accidents and this has been a longstanding demand of the locals of the town. But, it is quite unfortunate that the district administration has turned a deaf ear towards our demand. We appeal to the people of the district to join hands with us to make the strike successful,” said Youth Congress leader Samarendra Mishra.
The party workers also demanded adequate compensation for the family members of a college student who died after being hit by a speeding truck at Satyanarayan Pada on Wednesday morning.
Members of truck and bus owners’ associations also extended support to the strike.
