Bhubaneswar: While Bharatiya Janata Party claims deserted roads, closed markets and harried residents testify to the success of the 12-hour bandh called by the outfit here Wednesday, the crippling strike also hit the roadside vendors, daily wage earners and small traders very hard.
Except ambulances, postal department, banks and some other essential services, all other institutions were shut and hardly any public vehicle was allowed to ply. BJP activists blocked major city roads by burning tyres and staging demonstrations.
Over 1 lakh people including auto drivers, small shopkeepers, daily labourers, and fruit and vegetable vendors failed to earn during the day and suffered huge losses. Some of them claimed they pay ` 150 to 500 per day as rent of their shops and vehicles but the bandh meant that there was no income Wednesday.
“I have taken this auto on rent. I have to pay ` 150 to the owner daily. But today, I could not earn even `100 since morning. The bandh supporters stopped me from plying the auto. What would I pay to the owner?” said a dejected auto driver Santosh.
“We opened our shop in the morning but some BJP leaders forced us to down the shutters. Normally we earn around ` 5,000 daily but today it is less than ` 500. Only two customers have bought fruits since morning,” said a fruit vendor at Unit I market.
The bandh came as a double whammy for residents, who are still reeling under the cash crunch following demonetisation.
“ATMs here have no cash and now the banks are also closed due to bandh. It’s creating problems,” said LN Kar, a senior citizen of GGP colony.
Though train services were not disrupted, passengers suffered a lot as they were unable to hire vehicle after coming out of the station.
“I was working in Assam and have been transferred to Bhubaneswar. Today I come here to join at my new office. I have been waiting here since an hour but could not get any taxi or auto,” said Sikar Panda.
Ruling BJD and BJP activists scuffled near Ram Mandir square during the bandh as the former appeal to the public to defy the strike.
BJD’ student wing leader Chinmaya Sahoo stated, “At this time when people are facing acute crisis due to demonetisation, the call for bandh is irresponsible.”
Several ministers, chief secretary, home secretary and other officials reached office amid tight security even as BJP leaders and workers staged dharna in front of the Secretariat gate.
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