The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) staged a 12-hour bandh in Raighar block of Nabarangpur district on Monday, demanding Rs 1 crore compensation and justice for a second-year BSc nursing student who died after alleged harassment.
The student, admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, died on Sunday, 24 days after allegedly consuming pesticide following an assault by youth Satyajit Sarkar. BJD leader Pradeep Majhi accused the police of delaying action, claiming the negligence contributed to her death. The party also demanded the arrest of another accused linked to a viral photo related to the case.
Shops, markets, and transport services were shut from 6 am to 6 pm, while emergency services continued. Protesters blocked roads, including near Hanuman Mandir Square, halting traffic. The victim’s body was returned to Dumurimunda village under tight security, with family members refusing to perform last rites until their demands were met.
BJD warned that protests will persist until all accused are arrested and justice is delivered.
