Odisha Bandh by Farmers’ Body Partially Disrupts Normal Life

Bhubaneswar, Jan 28 : Normal life was partially disrupted in several parts of Odisha on Wednesday following an eight-hour statewide bandh called by the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) to protest alleged irregularities in paddy procurement and other issues affecting farmers and consumers.

The farmers’ organisation alleged mismanagement in paddy procurement mandis, the imposition of fines related to pollution certificates, and the exploitation of consumers through the installation of smart meters by Tata Power. NNKS claimed that the bandh received support from major opposition parties, including the Congress, BJD and CPI.

As part of the protest, NNKS activists staged road blockades at multiple locations across the state by burning tyres and holding pickets, particularly in the state capital and other key areas. In some places, shops and business establishments remained closed, while vehicular movement was disrupted for several hours.

Government offices, however, functioned normally during the bandh. Essential services, including emergency and healthcare services, were excluded from the shutdown and continued without interruption.

To maintain law and order, the state administration deployed security personnel at sensitive locations and around important government offices across Odisha. Officials said no incidents of violence or major disturbances had been reported from any part of the state till the filing of this report.