16-07-2025
Elaborate security arrangements in place for bandh today
Bhubaneswar: Police have made elaborate security arrangements across the state, especially in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, in view of the 12-hour Odisha bandh called by Congress and seven other organisations on Thursday, seeking a fair probe into the self-immolation of a 20-year-old student in Balasore.
Speaking to media persons, police commissioner S Dev Dutta Singh said, "We will not allow any kind of violence or untoward incident during the bandh. Political parties have the liberty to protest in a democracy, but our top priority remain the safety of the public."
Commissionerate police plans to deploy AI-based surveillance drone cameras to monitor the movement of the protesters. Additional arrangements are also being made to guard key govt installations such as Lok Seva Bhawan, AG office, and offices and residences of key ministers and officials.
Looking at the growing tensions and the protest by BJD on Wednesday in Bhubaneswar which turned violent, police are taking extra caution, sources said.
The home department has issued an advisory for govt employees to reach their offices before 9:30am positively. On the day, visitors will not be allowed at Lok Seva Bhawan while checks of ID cards of the employees will be intensified, the advisory added.
All India Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba said it would be a peaceful protest, and the primary agenda is to "wake up a sleepy govt".
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"We seek justice for the girl and demand safety and security for the girls and women of the state. There is a need to instil fear in the minds of criminals who are responsible for such atrocities on women," Lamba said.
Criticising the state govt, Lamba said the girl who bravely confronted her tormentors should be saluted. "She knocked on all possible doors for justice. If she received support on time, such a valuable life wouldn't have been lost.
The brave girl was asked to compromise, but she didn't bow her head down and continued the fight," she said.
Earlier, state Congress president Bhakta Charan Das said that as part of the bandh, all schools, colleges, universities and vehicular movements would be stopped. He said they had urged the transport unions, employees' federations, traders' unions, and people to cooperate in the protest for safeguarding democracy and ensuring women's safety.
