The Congress is today observing a 12-hour dawn-to-dusk bandh across Odisha from 6 AM to 6 PM to protest the alleged harassment of Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan (FM) Autonomous College in Balasore, who attempted self-immolation on July 12 and later succumbed to burn injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on July 14 while undergoing treatment.

Normal life was affected across Odisha as Congress workers staged road blockades at various places, affecting vehicular movement. Train services were also affected as they staged rail roko at several railway stations in the state.

Shops and business establishments remained closed in many areas in view of the bandh observance.

The Congress has demanded the resignation of the state's Education Minister, the local MLA, and the MP, alleging that all three failed the student and her family.

The party has appealed to people from all walks of life to support the bandh call.