Khaira Shuts Down in Protest for NAC Status in Balasore

Balasore, Sep 3 (PTI): A seven-hour bandh took place in Khaira, located in Odisha's Balasore district, demanding the town be granted Notified Area Council (NAC) status. The bandh, orchestrated by Swabhiman Manch, began at 7 a.m. and is scheduled to conclude at 2 p.m.

As businesses remained shut, educational institutions canceled classes, and offices were closed as the residents offered widespread support to the bandh. Vehicular movement came to a standstill as agitators picketed at key junctions.

According to Swabhiman Manch president Prashant Kumar Behera, the bandh received backing from people across different sectors. A local resident, Jagatananda Mohapatra, asserted, "The former government had planned for Khaira to become an NAC. It's shocking that our town was excluded from the latest list provided by the current administration, which is a severe injustice."

Recently, the BJP-led state government announced the formation of 28 new NACs and the upgrading of seven existing NACs to municipal status. Additionally, it was revealed that the Puri Municipality would be elevated to a municipal corporation.