Shops Shut But Vehicles Ply During Traders’ Bharat Bandh Over Pulwama

Bhubaneswar: Vehicles plied in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack while traders downed shutters across Odisha on Tuesday during the all-India trade bandh called by Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) over the Pulwama terror attack.

The Odisha Byabasayee Mahasangh is backing the bandh called in solidarity with the nation and families of over 40 troopers slain on February 14. Traders’ bodies in the country are observing the bandh from 7 am to 4 pm and have urged the Centre to take strong action against Pakistan.

The Odisha Byabasayee Mahasangh had said that vehicular traffic will be normal and emergency services will be allowed during the bandh.

Arun Patwari, president of the Sambalpur Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber has requested all traders to close their establishments as a mark of tribute to the martyrs. “We have also requested medicine shop owners to join the bandh call. But since medicine is an emergency service, we have not made it mandatory for them to close down their establishment,” he said.

The Cuttack Chamber of Commerce said the traders’ body will provide ex-gratia to the family of two martyrs from Odisha.

Reports from the district headquarters said the bandh was total across the state.

All trading establishments remained closed in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, but several commuters were seen returning from filling stations which remained closed.