Odisha Bandh Over Student's Death: Shops Closed, Traffic Hit On Chennai-Kolkata Highway
The bandh was called after a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan College in Balasore allegedly set herself on fire on campus.
Odisha Bandh Today: Security has been heightened in Odisha, with security personnel being deployed in the capital, Bhubaneswar, as several Opposition parties called for 'Odisha bandh'.
The 'bandh' has been called against the state government over the death of a student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College by self-immolation.
Shops remain shut, and traffic is disrupted in several areas, including Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj. In Bhadrak, markets were closed and public transport was affected due to the Odisha bandh.
The Chennai-Kolkata Highway witnessed long traffic jams, with trucks and other vehicles being stuck and left stranded due to the closure.
Besides trucks, bus operations in many regions of the state also remain affected.
The bandh was led by the Congress party, along with other opposition groups, including the All India Forward Bloc. They held the state government responsible for ignoring the student's repeated pleas for help.
BJD Holds Protest
Earlier on Wednesday, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had also taken to the streets and called for a 'Balasore Bandh' in protest against the Odisha government. BJD chief and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik slammed the state government for using force against BJD workers who were protesting in connection with the case.
An Odisha Bandh was called by eight opposition parties on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of the State Higher Education Minister and a judicial investigation into the matter.
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