Bandh observed from dawn to dusk in 3 Odisha towns

Athagarh/Titilagarh/Jagatsinghpur: The residents of Athagarh, Titilagarh, and Jagatsinghpur towns in Odisha observed Bandh from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm today over their respective demands.

Twelve-hour Bandh was observed in Athagarh and Titilagarh demanding ‘district’ status to the towns and was observed in Jagatsinghpur town demanding a government medical college.

The call for Bandh in Athagarh town was given by Athagarh Zilla Kriyanusthan Committee. Supporters of the local outfit picketed at several prime locations and halted the vehicular movements.

“Despite repeatedly demanding ‘district’ status to Athagarh town, our demand was not being met. Earlier, we staged a sit-in (Dharna) in front of the Athagarh Sub-Collector’s Office for nearly a month. At last, the Committee gave a call for a 12-hour Bandh,” an agitator and member of the outfit said.

Three platoons of police force were deployed to avert any untoward law and order situation.

Similarly, the Titilagarh Zilla Kriyanusthan Committee had called for a 12-hour Bandh in the town.

The demand for ‘district’ status to Titilagarh town intensified after the residents of Padampur Assembly constituency of Bargarh district were promised ‘district’ status during the last bypoll campaign.

Several shops, marketplaces, and business establishments remained closed during the Bandh.

Likewise, the residents of Jagatsinghpur town also observed a Bandh from dawn to dusk led by a local outfit named Zilla Swasthya Surakshya Abhijan. Dak Bungalow Chhak in the town was obstructed by several supporters of the outfit and shops and other business establishments remained shut.