Post News Network
Sambalpur, April 16: Normal life was thrown out of gear here Thursday due to a 12-hour bandh called by the BJP in protest against the arrest of senior party leader and former minister Jayanarayan Mishra and imposition of Section 144-A in the town.
Scores of BJP activists, led by district unit president Nauri Nayak, went to Khetarajpur railway station at 6 am and blocked the movement of trains. Due to the rail-roko, Government Railway Police arrested about 50 BJP activists. However, the agitators were later freed on personal bonds.
The protesters also staged demonstrations at Sindurapank, Dhanupali, Ainthapali, Barreipali, Laxmi Talies Square, Golbazar Square, Shakti Square, Kacheri Square and other areas of the town. They also staged picketing near the collectorate, the office of the revenue divisional commissioner (North), the court and other government offices.
All schools, colleges and other educational institutions, shops and commercial establishments remained closed during the bandh. The roads of the town wore a deserted look as vehicles remained off the roads. Commuters unaware of the protest had a harrowing time as vehicular movement was affected. Members of the Hanuman Jayanti Samanyaya Samiti, the Bajarang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad also backed the protest. The administration made elaborate security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident in the town. Sixteen platoons of police, 13 IICs, 68 SIs/ASIs, 32 constables and one DSP-ranked officer were deployed to maintain law and order.
Additional district magistrate Jyoti Kumar Lakra, additional superintendent of police Sushil Kumar Panigrahi, Sambalpur sub-collector Bimalendu Ray, tehsildar Rajendra Kumar Minz, SDPO Utkal Keshari Das and other senior officials were also present to monitor the unfolding situation.
The BJP questioned the basis of imposing Section 144-A in the town and termed Mishra’s arrest illegal. “The imposition of Section 144-A in the town is illegal. The President has not given his assent to the prohibitory order,” said a BJP functionary here.
Mishra was arrested on the charge of wielding a sword during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in the town Tuesday. A clash also broke out between policemen and Mishra’s supporters when the security forces tried to seize the sword from Mishra, who was arrested Wednesday. He was sent to a jail after a court rejected his bail application.
