Odisha Faces Disruption Due to 12-Hour Shutdown by Opposition Parties
Statewide Shutdown Impacts Daily Life
Photo: IANS
Bhubaneswar, Oct 8: On Thursday, normal activities in Odisha were significantly disrupted due to a 12-hour shutdown initiated by various opposition factions within the Congress-led INDIA coalition. This action was taken in response to four primary demands, including the call for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, amid allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
The shutdown led to widespread interruptions in transportation across the state, as members of communist parties, Congress, and other political groups obstructed National and State Highways by setting tires ablaze at multiple locations.
Protesters from the INDIA coalition organized picketing at key sites in urban areas throughout the state. Additionally, Youth Congress members participated in bike rallies during the shutdown. As a result, passenger buses, auto-rickshaws, and trucks were largely absent from the roads.
Train services were also disrupted for several hours in various regions, with reports of confrontations between security forces and INDIA coalition members attempting to halt train operations at railway stations.
Numerous vehicles were left stranded on highways, causing significant inconvenience for travelers. Many private businesses and institutions in major cities across Odisha remained closed due to the shutdown.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das stated that the 12-hour bandh was being observed peacefully statewide, with considerable public support.
Das outlined the four main demands driving the bandh: the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the repeal of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, the resignation of Odisha's School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over alleged textbook errors, and immediate relief for those affected by recent floods in the state.
He noted that the impact of the bandh was more pronounced in rural areas compared to urban centers, affecting schools, colleges, markets, and transportation services statewide.
To mitigate inconvenience for tourists and travelers from outside the state, some leniency was granted in Bhubaneswar, allowing emergency services to continue operating.
“We are conducting this bandh peacefully, following the principles of Mahatma Gandhi. There will be no violence,” he emphasized, urging party members and supporters to maintain order.
Das cautioned that if the government does not address the four demands, the protests could escalate significantly over the next two months.