A 12-hour bandh was observed in Deogarh today, led by the District Youth Ekata Manch, demanding round-the-clock healthcare services at the old hospital premises.
The protest follows growing public dissatisfaction after the district headquarters hospital was relocated to Nuabaliroi, leaving residents of Deogarh without accessible emergency care.
The bandh, which began at 6 AM and continued till 6 PM, saw widespread participation from political parties, civil society groups, and local citizens. Protesters, including women, youth leaders, and party workers, gathered at the Old Traffic Square and Ambedkar Chowk, staging sit-ins on National Highway 49. This led to a complete halt in vehicular movement, affecting traffic on the Bombay-Kolkata route and stranding goods-laden trucks on both sides of the highway.
Shops, markets, schools, colleges, banks, and both government and private offices remained closed throughout the day. Bus services were suspended, and commercial activity came to a standstill. The Deogarh Bar Association also extended its support to the agitation.
The Youth Forum has urged authorities to restore 24×7 medical services at the old hospital to ensure healthcare access for the town’s residents. The bandh marks a significant escalation in public demand for equitable health infrastructure.
