Intelligence Alert To Odisha Districts Ahead Of September 27 Bandh

Bhubaneswar: The state government has alerted the police administration across the state to be prepared to deal with violation of law and order situation and handle violence pragmatically in view of a dawn-to-dusk bandh being called by several political and farmers’ outfits on September 27. Anticipating obstruction of vehicular traffic all over the state all state government employees were advised to reach their workplaces sufficiently ahead of their office time.

According to Intelligence inputs received by the state government, several farmers’ federations like Sanjukta Kissan Morcha and Al India Kissan Sangharsha Samanyaya Swamiti (AIKSCC), Delhi and Odisha Sanjukta Kissan Morcha and trade unions like CITU, INTUC, HMS, AITUC and many Opposition parties including the Left would hold up road traffic and down shutters of businesses and close educational institutions.

The agitators have been protesting labour policies of the Union government and non-implementation of Swaminathan Commission recommendations, and demanding withdrawal of the Farmers’ Bill 2020 among other things.

The Intelligence inputs have warned the district administration that CPI activists, to be led by Sura Jena, will hold rail roko at Bhubaneswar railway station. Another group, to be led by Sura Panigrahi would hold a road blockade. CITU activists are planning to hold up traffic on National Highway 16 at Satsang Vihar in the Capital city. A CITU unit, to be led by Pradipta Nayak, will obstruct road at Aigania square while a CPI team to be led by Pramila Behera will hold up traffic at Crown Square. CPM leader Satyananda Behera is expected to block road at Jayadev Vihar. Similarly, SUCI activists have planned to stop vehicles at Kalpana and Sishupal Garh Chhak

As many as 200 activists, to be led by Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik, are expected to stage a demonstration at PMG square. About 300 Congress workers are also planning to take out a motorcycle rally in the city.

Similar rallies, demonstrations and road blockades have been planned in Cuttack district by CITU and HMS, AITUC and several other political outfits in solidarity with the bandh call. Police forces have been put on alert in view of Maoist threat in a few pockets in the state.

CPM activists Sarangadhar Behera and Niranjan Behera have decided to lead rail-roko at Khurda Road while demonstrations are planned in Jatani Bazar. CPM and CITU members have also planned to organise pickets in the town areas.

The state government has alerted all district administrations to stay alert and avert any attempt to provoke violation of law and order situation across the state.

Earlier, Special Secretary, Home, Santosh Bala had directed secretaries of all departments to advise their employees working at the Lok Seva Bhawan, Kharavela Bhawan, Rajiv Bhawan and the heads of departments office to reach office by 9.30 am on the day of the protest to facilitate their smooth entry. The state government issued had issued the order in anticipation that the protestors may waylay road and rail traffic, close down business establishments, and picket government offices, banks and schools and colleges.