The dawn to dusk Western Odisha bandh called by the Koshal Raiz Samanwaya Samiti (KRSS) on Monday demanding separate Koshal State evoked spontaneous response from across the region.
While normal life was thrown out of gear in Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada and Balangir, it had little impact in Deogarh. All Government offices and courts were shut down for the day.
In the morning, the supporters of about 150 organisations in Sambalpur stopped the Sambalpur-Puri Intercity Express at Sambalpur Road Railway Station and picketed on NH 53, 55 and SH 10 bringing traffic to a grinding halt. It was for the first time that even tea stalls and betel shops downed their shutters to support the demand.
In Sambalpur town, people came out on their own to extend support for separate State. The supporters burnt tyres at many places. The bandh was also observed in panchayats and block headquarters besides villages.
The scenes were similar in other districts where life came to a grinding halt. Although the members of the organisations involved in the movement did not have much presence, support of the common people made the bandh a huge success. Except serious medical exigencies, movement of vehicles was restricted and people preferred to remain indoors.
Chairman of Advisory Council of Koshal Kranti Dal (KKD) Pramod Mishra said it is for the first time that the bandh call has evoked such huge response reflecting the mood and sentiment of the people of the region.
He added that people from different caste societies, farmers’ bodies, intellectuals, lawyers and citizens at large have extended their support to the movement.