Balasore: Normal life in most parts of Nilagiri town in Balasore district was cripples owing to a
dawn-to-dusk bandh called by Nilagiri Surakhya Manch seeking fulfilment of a 14-point charter of demands including immediate reopening of closed mines in the area.
Commuters had a harrowing time as the protestors staged blockades at major roads, including Bypass Square by burning tyres. Shops, markets, commercial establishments and educational institutions largely remained shut, while government offices registered thin attendance.
“Despite repeated requests, the local tehsildar has failed to address our issues. He should be transferred with immediate effect and all the demands raised by the manch be heeded at the earliest,” one of the agitators said.