Odisha Bandh by Left parties hits normal life

Bhubaneswar: A six-hour Odisha Bandh is being observed across the state by Left parties from 6 am to 12 noon over hike in prices of fuel and essential commodities.

The Odisha unit of the Congress party has supported the bandh call.

Leaders and workers of the Left parties were seen staging road blockade at various junctions, thereby affecting vehicular movement. They also staged rail roko at several railway stations in the state.

Commuters faced severe inconvenience amid traffic jam due to road blockade by the agitators.

Hundreds of vehicles, including trucks, remained stranded on National Highway in Bhubaneswar as members of the parties blocked road at Acharya Vihar here.

On the other hand, the Congress party has urged consumers not to buy petrol and diesel today as a mark of protest against the hike in the prices.

In view of the bandh, Odisha government has directed the district administrations to take preventive measures to maintain law and order.