Bandh hits normal life in south Orissa

Normal life was paralysed in southern Orissa on the first day of the two-day shutdown called by Maoists to protest the killing of a man by security forces in Gajapati district in November.

Normal life was paralysed in southern Orissa on the first day of the two-day shutdown called by Maoists to protest the killing of a man by security forces in Gajapati district in November.

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Security was tightened and patrolling intensified in Gajapati, Kandhamal and Rayagada districts of the state, where the bandh disrupted vehicular movement and forced the shops to down shutter. Markets also remained closed while offices and educational institutions recorded thin attendance.

Additional police personnel were deployed in sensitive areas and at the entry points where vehicles were checked, official sources said.

Life virtually came to a grinding halt at Mohana and Adaba areas of Gajapati district as well as Bisamakataka and Salada areas of Rayagada where roads wore a deserted look, the sources said.

In Kandhamal, areas like Daringibadi, Raikia, Kotagada, Tumudibandh and Brahmanigaon were hit by the bandh.

Road communication between Berhampur in Ganjam district and three neighbouring districts was completely disrupted due to the bandh as Maoists put up posters and banners at different places asking people to support them and demanding removal of security forces, including CRPF, they said.