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Bandh affects normal life in capital

— Photo: Ashoke Chakrabarty

The Bhubaneswar railway station wears a deserted look on Monday.

BHUBANESWAR: Normal life in the capital city on Monday was completely paralyzed following the bandh call given by Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) protesting against the murder of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and his disciples.

Business establishments, banks, educational institutions and offices remained closed and vehicles were off the road as the activists of the VHP, Bajrang Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party who were joined by “enthusiastic crowd” took over different main roads and streets.

Several Ministers and legislators were seen walking down to State Assembly premises to attend the monsoon session. Although instructions were issued for State secretariat staff to enter the premises an hour before the scheduled time, most of them could not even come near their offices.

As the day progressed, bandh supporters blocked roads and streets by burning tyres and felling tree branches. Churches and small prayer houses were pelted stones. Institutions having strong links with Christian community as per the activists also came under attack.

At different places vehicles were damaged and even journalists covering the bandh were not spared. Tight security blanket was thrown around churches and institutions belonging to the Christian community.

CUTTACK: The 12-hour bandh on Monday evoked total response in all parts of the Cuttack district paralyzing the normal life as the people from all walks of life supported the bandh call spontaneously. The busiest bus terminus of the state at Badambadi in the city saw thousands of passengers stranded as buses were not allowed to ply on any of the routes originating from Cuttack city.

Schools, colleges and business establishments were closed for the day while the government offices and banks witnessed thin attendance. Proceedings in all courts of the city including the High Court suffered as the lawyers failed to turn up even as the judges and magistrates managed to reach the courts.

BJP and VHP activists picketed at three places on NH-5 at Press Chouk, OMP and Gandarpur while protestors squatted on rail tracks. Few trains including Howrah-Chennai mail were stranded at Cuttack station.

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