Peaceful end to 6-hour Congress bandh over Mamita murder

BHUBANESWAR: The Congress observed a state-wide bandh and took out peaceful protest rallies on Friday to press for the resignation of minister of state for home Dibya Shankar Mishra for his alleged link with the prime accused in the murder of Kalahandi schoolteacher Mamita Meher.
Though the Congress had called for a complete bandh from 6am to noon, the Orissa high court, while hearing a petition on Thursday categorically denied permission to any coercive steps and termed it illegal, citing the Supreme Court's earlier order. The high court allowed the Congress only to observe peaceful protests and warned of action if it used force or compelled people to stay indoors, downed the shutters of shops and disrupted the public transport system.
In view of the high court's order, people moved out of their homes, shop owners and vendors did normal business, offices and banks functioned as usual and the public transport system remained unaffected.
Police said the bandh called by the Congress was peaceful. No untoward incident or violence was reported from any place in the state. Adequate police personnel were mobilised to ensure safety and convenience of people in public places, an officer of the state police headquarters said.
The Congress termed the bandh a success. "We complied with the Orissa high court's order in letter and spirit. Only peaceful protests were made to press for our demand for the resignation of minister Mishra," Congress working president Chiranjib Biswal said.
State Congress president Niranjan Patnaik said the party will continue to fight for justice for Mamita.
"Police sat silent by arresting the main accused Gobinda Sahu. But they are yet to bring junior home minister Mishra under the purview of investigation. The government only boasts about women's safety and empowerment. In reality, women have been feeling unsafe in the state," Niranjan said.