The Left parties of the state organised a 6-hour long bandh throughout the state today (July 15) protesting hike in the prices of petrol, fuel and other essential commodities. The Congress party has also extended support to the Left in this bandh call.
Members of CPI, CPI (M), CPIM (L) and Forward Block staged road blockade and ‘Rail Roko’ agitation in different parts of Odisha. The protesters also blocked the railway tracks in Bhubaneswar station, disrupting train services.
While picketing at several roads in the state capital, the party members were seen asking the public to cooperate and make the bandh a successful one. Many shops and business establishments remained shut owing to the protest.
As a preventive measure in view of the six-hour bandh, the Odisha government had asked all District Collectors to maintain law and order and ensure that essential services are not affected during the period. Additionally, the government had also asked all departments to take advance measures in their offices in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack to ensure that official work doesn’t get hampered due to the bandh.