SAMBS calls 12-hr bandh in Odisha’s Steel City on Wednesday

Reported by Malay Ray
Rourkela, Mar 17:

Sundargarh Adivasi Mulabasi Bachao Sangha (SAMBS), which has been on an indefinite dharna since March 7 against the Odisha government’s decision to include several peripheral tribal villages in the proposed Rourkela Municipal Corporation, has called a Rourkela bandh on Wednesday to press its demand for the withdrawal of the notification.

Informing about Rourkela bandh call on Wednesday, SAMBS leader and Birmitrapur MLA George Tirkey said the bandh would be total covering train services, bus services, all commercial, government and non government establishments.  The  timing  of  bandh  will  be  from  6 am  to  6 pm. The protestors of SAMBS have also told that  no vehicles will be allowed to run on the road during this 12-hour bandh except emergency services.

Answering a query about the examinations going on currently, Tirkey said those who have exams on Wednesday will not be distrubed and they can appear in their exams.

“We have been protesting against Odisha government decision to include several peripheral tribal villages in the proposed Rourkela Municipal Corporation and have been on an indefinite dharna since March 7. But the Odisha government is not listening to us and refusing to withdraw the notification,” said George Tirkey. “We have therefore called a Rourkela bandh on March 18.” he added.