Odisha Bandh Partially Affected Normal Life

Bhubaneswar (Reporters Today Bureau): Pradesh Congress Committee today observed bandh across the State demanding removal of Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra over his alleged link with prime accused Govinda Sahu in Mahaling school teacher Mamita Meher murder case. Respecting High Court’s order on a petition against scheduled Odisha bandh called by Congress for today, the party activists observed six-hour hartal (from 6 am to 12 noon) partially disrupting vehicular traffic in some districts of the State.

Though, no effect has seen so far due to the bandh in Twin city, the protestors intensified agitation in the districts like Kalahandi and Balangir to mount pressure on the Government to take action against Minister Captain Dibya Shankar Mishra. To make the hartal successful, Congress protestors reportedly distributed chocolates among commuters at Vani Vihar Square requesting them to remain off the work for justice for deceased schoolteacher Mamita Meher.

Speaking to media persons, former Odisha Congress president Jayadev Jena said, “People of Odisha have extended their support to the protest. We will continue it till arrest of the minister and justice to Mamita.” Holding placards and raising slogans against the minister, a group of Congress activists including senior leader and Jatani MLA Suresh Kumar Routray staged protest at Master Canteen Square in Bhubaneswar. “We received complete support from public for the bandh. The agitation will continue till justice to Mamita Meher,” the legislator said terming the hartal as ‘successful’ in Odisha.