Titlagarh: The Zilla Kriyanusthan Committee is today observing a 12-hour bandh in Titlagarh demanding district status for the region.

While shops and business establishments remained closed, vehicular movement came to a grinding halt as the agitators staged road blockade at various places to press their demands.

Movement of vehicles from Titlagarh to Balangir, Khadial and Kesinga was severely affected due to the bandh observance.

"The politicians are garnering votes in their favour on the promise of giving district status to Titlagarh. They did so in 2019. However, they are doing nothing to fulfill the promises," one of the agitators said.

"The people of Titlagarh are extending their support towards the movement, for which efforts are being made by some to suppress the agitation," he added.