Rayagada: The dawn-to-dusk bandh call by the Maoists protesting the alleged encounter of a Dongria Kondh youth went off peacefully in four blocks of this district.
Manda Kadraka, a youth of Dangamati village near Niyamgiri hill was killed during a combing operation February 27. Banshadhara-Ghumsar-Nagabali Maoist division called the bandh protesting the incident. No untoward incident was reported in Kalyansinghpur, Rayagada, Bissamkatak and Muniguda blocks of the district.
All the commercial establishments in various market places and intersections in Kalyansinghpur block remained closed and plying of vehicles was also disrupted. Similarly, the long-route passenger buses were seen stranded in Rayagada bus stand. However, the call evoked partial response in Muniguda block as most of the shops remained open during the day and operation of passenger vehicles was normal.
Security arrangements were intensified by the police in the four blocks to handle any eventuality.
More than 500 men and women brandishing traditional weapons Monday gheraoed Kalyansinghpur police station seeking justice and fulfillment of their demands in the incident. They demanded Rs50 lakh for the bereaved family and dismissal of police officials involved in the alleged killing of the tribal youth. PNN
