TNI Bureau: Normal life has come to a standstill in Odisha due to the bandh calls given by BJD, BJP and Left parties. Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are worst hit by the dawn-to-dusk strike.

The BJD has given the ‘Odisha Bandh’ call to protest against the steep hike of Rs 7.50 per litre in petrol prices. Despite the recent turbulence within the party, the BJD leaders and cadres are leaving no stones unturned to make the bandh a huge success.

The BJP-led NDA has also given a ‘Bharat Bandh’ call across the country. They are going all out to mark the presence in Odisha too. The Left parties have also called for a complete shutdown.

Over 20 platoons of police forces, including 30 mobile units and riot police have been deployed across Bhubaneswar to prevent untoward incidents. The protesters burnt tyre at many places and blocked the roads too. They stopped all vehicles except for the police and press.

All shops, business establishments and many offices and banks remain closed today. The rail traffic was also hit. All buses, auto rickshaws and taxis stayed off the road in support of Odisha Bandh. Over 200 people have been taken into custody so far in Bhubaneswar.

The ‘Odisha Bandh’ was also reported from many areas across the state, including Berhampur, Rourkela, Jeypore, Koraput, Khordha, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Keonjhar, Nabarangpur, Balangir, Sambalpur and Deogarh.