Bandh total in urban areas, mixed response in rural pockets

BALANGIR/BHAWANIPATNA/NABARANGPUR:  Life was thrown out of gear due to the bandh in Balangir district. All Government and private offices besides shops, schools and colleges remained closed. Vehicular traffic was paralysed while train services were also affected due to the strike. Sources said the shutdown was total in Sonepur, Kantabanjhi, Titlagarh, Patnagarh, Bhawanipatna and Nuapada. While the bandh was a success in urban areas of Balangir and Kalahandi districts, it evoked mixed response in rural pockets.

Though no untoward incident was reported during the bandh, the local BJP unit complained that protesters vandalised several hoardings and posters put up for the upcoming tour of BJP president Amit Shah to Balangir. Similarly, Kalahandi district was also affected by the shutdown call. The township areas of Bhawanipatna, Junagarh, Dharamgarh, Jaipatna, Kesinga, M Rampur and Narla wore a deserted look on the day. Passengers had a harrowing time on the day after NH-26 was blocked by protesters during the bandh call at the district headquarters town of Nabarangpur. Thousands of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the NH due to the blockade.