Berhampur/Jeypore: The Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) suspended its bus services on four routes from Berhampur with Maoists observing Martyrs’ Week from Thursday till August 3. The OSRTC authorities suspended the bus services on four routes from Thursday apprehending violence by the ultras during the period. There have been instances in the past where the ultras have unleashed mayhem by torching government vehicles. Suspension of bus services has severely hit communication to various parts of south Odisha and parts of western Odisha. The routes on which bus services will remain suspended are: Berhampur-Balimela, BerhampurUmerkote, Berhampur-Rayagada and Berhampur- Bhawanipatna.
Moreover, OSRTC has also suspended two passenger bus services from Bhanjanagar to Malkangiri, one from Bhanjanagar to Sunabeda and one from Bhanjanagar to Indravati. Similarly, buses from Bhubaneswar to Motu, Bhubaneswar to Malkangiri and Cuttack to Chitrakonda have been suspended for a week. “Private buses have also suspended their services as passengers have stopped boarding their vehicles,” said Tutu Patnaik, secretary of private bus owners’ association. However, police have urged the bus owners to continue bus services on the designated routes during the Martyrs’ Week, citing adequate security arrangement and regular patrolling on the routes.
Meanwhile, reports from Jeypore said, high alert has been sounded across Koraput in view of the observance of Martyrs’ Week. Operation of over 43 OSRTC buses between Koraput and Malkangiri has been suspended. Lack of communication has badly affected people in Koraput with people stranded at various locations amid tight security arrangements at Jaynarayanpatna, Bandhugaon, Boipariguda and Pottangi. Police patrolling has been intensified in these areas.
