Tension gripped the streets of Bhubaneswar today as Congress workers clashed with police during a protest march aimed at the Chief Minister’s residence.
The agitation was part of a 12-hour Odisha Bandh called by Congress and seven other opposition parties, demanding justice for a Fakir Mohan Autonomous College student who allegedly died following a self-immolation attempt on campus.
The bandh disrupted normal life across major cities, including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Public transport was severely affected as protesters blocked national highways and set tyres ablaze at key intersections like Jaydev Vihar and Acharya Vihar. Private and government buses remained off the roads, leaving passengers stranded and terminals deserted.
Markets, educational institutions, and business establishments remained closed. Auto-rickshaws and taxis were halted, and commuters were seen walking with luggage in search of alternatives.
Protesters attempted to storm railway platforms, leading to the temporary suspension of train services and heightened security deployment. The situation escalated briefly before police intervened to restore order.
Police detained several Congress and Left party workers during demonstrations near PMG Square. Odisha Congress in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu accused the state government of shielding culprits and demanded the resignation of CM Majhi and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
PCC President Bhakta Charan Das criticised the administration’s inaction, questioning why senior officials and ministers were not held accountable. CPI(M) leader Suresh Panigrahi called the bandh a “people’s movement,” citing widespread support from transport unions, educators, and civil society groups.
The protest was sparked by the death of a female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, who allegedly attempted self-immolation on campus last week. Opposition parties accused the government of negligence and demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident.
While most commercial outlets remained shut, a few hotels near railway stations stayed open for stranded passengers. Medicine shops, tea stalls, and chicken counters operated with limited capacity.
Despite widespread disruption, no major incidents of violence were reported till the afternoon. However, political tensions remain high as opposition parties vow to continue their agitation against the BJP-led state government.
