Lukewarm Response To Bharat Bandh Call By Dalit, Adivasi Groups In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The dawn-to-dusk ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by the Dalit and Adivasi organisations evoked lukewarm response in Odisha on Wednesday.

Members of SC&ST communities, under the joint banner of Akhil Bharat SC/ST Samanaya Samiti, in the state had announced their support to the nationwide strike in protest against the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on reservation sub-quota.

Anusuchita Jati O Janajati Milita Mancha members blocked NH-57 at Kantamal in Boudh district while protests were also witnessed at Umerkote in Nabarangpur. The agitators halted Samalpur-Puri and Sambalpur-Rayagada intercity at Khetrajpur station this morning, disrupting train traffic for around 30 minutes.

While educational institutions remained closed, the blockades disrupted vehicular movement in some areas. Public transport services were severely affected as agitators picketed at bus stands in Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Rourkela and Rayagada. Passengers and office goers had a torrid time with no buses plying on roads.

Shops, shopping malls, and other traders’ association in Balangir, Sonepur, Jajpur, and Angul had also extended their support to the bandh.

Most offices and business establishment, however, remained open. Essential services such as healthcare, fire services and public water supply were excluded from the bandh’s purview.

No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the state, where security measures were heightened in view of the bandh.