Bargarh/Berhampur: Normal life has been affected in Padmapur sub-division in Bargarh district and Purushottampur block in Ganjam district Monday.
A 12-hour dawn to dusk bandh called by Sachetan Nagarik Manch demanding district status for Padmapur crippled life in the town Monday. Trading establishments, business houses, schools and offices remained closed while vehicular traffic came to a standstill due to the bandh.
Meanwhile, 32 associations extended their support towards the shutdown.
Residents alleged that the district administration has been neglecting the region. Even as several villages and blocks of Bargarh district are situated 150-160-km away from the district headquarters, no steps are being taken to develop them. They accused the district administration of not paying special attention to these blocks.
Special government programmes do not reach people of Padmapur as it falls in the bordering areas of Nuapada and Bargarh. Stating that the entire Padmapur sub-division area is non-irrigated, they said the plight of the people is neglected.
The demand for district status to Padmapur has been long standing, they said adding the agitation would continue until their demands were fulfilled.
The agitators further threatened to intensify their agitation until their demand of district status for Padmapur is conceded.
While, schools, markets remained closed during the shutdown, emergency services have been kept out of the purview of the strike.
Meanwhile, adequate security measures have been taken by the district administration to avoid any untoward incident.
Similarly, the lawyers’ association and traders have been observing a 12-hour bandh at Purusottampur in Ganjam district over various demands including establishment of the sub-judge court. The lawyers’ association also has demanded construction of incomplete roads.
PNN
