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Sambalpur, June 26: The 12-hour bandh called by Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) to protest against the lapses during Brahma Paribartan ritual of the Lord in Srimandir was nearly peaceful in the district Friday.
The agitators demonstrated at several places and requested the Governor SC Jamir to recommend an independent and
impartial probe into the matter. Demanding his intervention in the matter, a few bandh supporters also urged the Governor to maintain the dignity and sanctity of the temple.
Congress activists staged a demonstration at Burla Friday morning and damaged four trucks as well as a pick-up van of Oriya daily ‘Dharitri’ near Hirakud railway station. They also staged a rail roko and blocked the movement of various trains for more than an hour at Khetarajpur railway station. Scores of protesters led by former MLA Ashwin Guru and other office-bearers of the district unit of the party did not allow Sambalpur-Puri Inter City Express to leave the railway station in Khetarajpur. Women supporters, led by state Mahila Congress secretary Surekha Sahu, blocked the Sambalpur-Rayagada Inter City train in the morning.
The Congress workers also demonstrated near the offices of Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Northern) and district collector, Laxmi Talkies Square, Kacheri Chhak, Dhanupali Chhak, Ainthapali Square, Bareipali Square and other important places of the town. The office-bearers were also seen stopping court
officials from entering the court here at around 10 am.
District police administration had made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident during the bandh. It had deployed eight platoons of forces, 50 constables, eight home guards, 23 ASIs/SIs, five inspectors, two DSPs and four magistrates to oversee law and order situation during the bandh, according to additional superintendent of police Sushil Kumar Panigrahi.
Panigrahi said he received some reports about damaging of vehicles, including one of ‘Dharitri’, during the bandh
in Burla.
“Burla police station IIC has been asked to register a case in this regard,” he added.
Meanwhile, civil society members condemned the attack on newspaper vehicle and demanded
arrest of the culprits responsible for the damage.
