Odisha Protests Over Student's Death Disrupts Normal Life

Bhubaneswar, Jul 17 (PTI) - Normal life was partially disrupted in Odisha on Thursday, as the opposition Congress, alongside seven other political parties, enforced a 12-hour statewide bandh. The shutdown was in response to the tragic death of a college student who tragically self-immolated after allegedly being denied justice in a sexual harassment incident. Roads in cities like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, along with other regions, appeared deserted with minimal vehicular movement. Train services, too, saw disruptions at stations such as Jatni, Puri, and Bhadrak, where opposition activists initiated demonstrations around 6 am in support of the bandh. Markets, educational institutions, and business establishments stayed shuttered as part of the protest. Demonstrators set up blockades on various key roads in the state capital, vocally opposing the BJP government, and calling for justice for the deceased student in Balasore. Prominent figures from Congress, CPI, CPI(M), CPIM (ML), Forward Bloc, RJD, SP, and NCP took to the streets waving their respective party flags to support the bandh effort. "We have been urging the public to back the bandh, as women's safety has been compromised ever since the BJP assumed power in Odisha. Up to 15 women and girls face sexual assaults daily, and the government has miserably failed to prevent such occurrences," asserted Rama Chandra Kadam, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader. Nonetheless, essential services, including ambulance operations, medical facilities, pharmacies, and milk parlours, were spared from the bandh's ambit. The opposition parties have reached out to market authorities, transport bodies, educational entities, offices, and banks, seeking their cooperation for the shutdown. "The bandh is being held peacefully across the state, including Bhubaneswar. We urge the public to collaborate," stated OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das, noting ongoing picketing activities on national highways and railway hubs. In a precautionary move, Odisha’s Petroleum Dealers’ Association shut all fuel outlets from 6 am to 6 pm on Thursday. "We apologize for the inconvenience," expressed the association's president, Sasanka Shekhar Sahu. In response to the bandh, the state government heightened security measures throughout Odisha. District collectors and SPs have been advised by the home department to remain vigilant in anticipation of road blockades, picketings, and agitations, while remaining prepared for any potential violence during the 12-hour shutdown. Government employees were instructed to report to their offices ahead of schedule. Extensive security arrangements were made by police in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and other key cities to maintain public order, an official mentioned. High-resolution AI-enabled cameras and drones were deployed at strategic locations, including markets and government establishments, for surveillance, according to Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh. "The situation is under constant supervision using a central command setup," the officer added.