Phulbani: A day-and-night bandh called by the Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of Maoists in four districts of the state affected normal life Thursday. The Maoists were protesting against the killing of five rebels in encounters with security forces. The bandh had limited impact with vehicular movement partially affected.
Besides Kandhamal, the bandh was being observed in Kalahandi, Boudh and Nayagarh districts. The five had been killed in police encounters in Sudukumpa forest near Golanki village in Kandhamal district.
The extremists blocked the Baliguda-Kantamal Road by placing trees on the main road. They also blocked major roads near Pokharibandha and on the Baliguda-Landagaon route by placing tree branches, disrupting vehicular traffic. However, shops and offices remained open.
Maoist posters condemning the killing of ultras were also found pasted at different places in Kalahandi, Boudh and Nayagarh districts where many business establishments remained open. Vehicular movement on important roads was thin.
Security has been beefed up and police patrolling intensified apprehending violence by Maoists in the four districts. Adequate CRPF personnel have also been deployed at these places to prevent any incident.
