Odisha bandh: Normal life disrupted in INDIA bloc observes 12-hr strike; BJD stays away | WATCH

Bhubaneswar: Normal life was affected across parts of Odisha on Thursday as opposition parties under the INDIA bloc banner observed a 12-hour state-wide bandh. The shutdown was called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, as well as the step-down of Odisha School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over extensive errors in school textbooks and grievances surrounding new mining laws.

In cities like Sambalpur, public transport, educational institutions and commercial establishments remained closed. Rail operations experienced disruptions after Congress demonstrators halted the Sambalpur-Puri train as part of their protest. Ahead of the shutdown, opposition leaders led torchlight rallies, with Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee chief Bhakta Charan Das framing the bandh as a struggle to protect constitutional and land rights.
 

To prevent law and order issues, police deployed nearly 150 officers across the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack region, securing national highways, railway stations and emergency services.
 

Despite the widespread mobilisation by nine opposition constituents, including the Congress, Left parties, Samajwadi Party and RJD, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) consciously chose not to participate. Reaffirming its policy of maintaining equal distance from both the BJP and Congress, BJD leadership clarified that while the party independently opposes the controversial MMDR Amendment Act and textbook errors, it would neither support nor oppose the INDIA bloc’s strike call.

Meanwhile, state administration officials and security personnel remained on high alert across districts to maintain public order and ensure the unhindered movement of healthcare and essential services throughout the strike.

(Agencies)