Odisha Bandh: Congress Torch Rally as Police Deploy 150 Officers
Congress and INDIA bloc call for Odisha bandh. Police deploy 150 officers to maintain order as torch rallies take place across the state.
The political atmosphere in Odisha is heating up as the Congress party and the INDIA bloc prepare for a state-wide shutdown. Ahead of the scheduled Odisha bandh, Congress workers took to the streets with a massive torch rally to signal their protest and mobilize support for the cause.
Congress Calls for Democratic Fight
The shutdown is being framed by opposition leaders as a crucial movement to defend the democratic fabric of the state. Odisha Congress President Bhakta Charan Das emphasized the gravity of the protest, describing it as a struggle to safeguard constitutional protections and land rights.
“I humbly appeal to the people of Odisha to support our democratic Bandh tomorrow. This is a fight to protect our constitutional rights and the rights over our land,” Das stated, while simultaneously urging party workers to maintain peace and respect the law during the demonstrations.
Adding to the intensity of the rhetoric, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee Vice President Santosh Singh Saluja accused the current administration of undermining democracy. He alleged that "vote theft" is occurring across the country, claiming the republic is being compromised, and urged citizens to cooperate with the shutdown to make it a success.
Massive Police Deployment to Maintain Order
In response to the call for a bandh, the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate has moved into high gear to prevent chaos. Commissioner Suresh Devdutt Singh confirmed that extensive security arrangements are in place to manage the potential unrest.
The police strategy includes:
- Deployment of 150 officers specifically to maintain law and order within the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack region.
- Securing critical infrastructure, including national highways and railway lines, to ensure they remain operational.
- Protecting essential services to ensure that hospitals and other vital facilities can function without interruption.
The Commissioner appealed to all political parties to exercise their rights within the legal framework, noting that while the police are responsible for maintaining peace, the onus of peaceful demonstration lies with the protesters.
Impact on Sambalpur and Railway Operations
The ripples of the protest are already being felt in Sambalpur, where the shutdown is expected to significantly disrupt daily life. Markets, schools, and colleges are reportedly remaining closed as the city observes the call.
The disruption has already extended to the transport sector. Reports indicate that Congress workers have taken action at the Sambalpur Railway Station, where the Sambalpur-Puri train was reportedly stopped as part of the ongoing protest. As the bandh continues, authorities remain on high alert to manage the impact on commuters and local businesses.