DEOGARH: Normal life was paralysed in Deogarh on Wednesday as Zilla Mahila and Yuva Ekta Manch observed a 12-hour bandh demanding round-the-clock healthcare services at the old district headquarters hospital (DHH) building.
The district-wide bandh witnessed unprecedented public support, complete shutdown of transport and commercial activities, large-scale arrests and incidents of violence, including an attack on the vehicle of the sub-collector.
Business establishments, markets, banks and government offices downed their shutters while passenger transport remained suspended across Deogarh town due to the shutdown, which began at around 8 am. Except for emergency services, all activities remained suspended.
Protesters were seen picketing at various places to enforce the bandh. The blockade of National Highway-49 at Rajamunda chowk led to massive traffic congestion with hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the road.
After a few hours, police declared the protest unlawful and launched a drive to clear the highway. Several protesters were detained to restore vehicular movement. The situation turned tense when agitators resisted the police action. During the commotion, the bandh supporters allegedly attempted to attack the sub-collector’s vehicle.
Deogarh MLA Romanch Ranjan Biswal reached the protest site and joined the agitation. He staged a sit-in near the Ambedkar statue along NH-49. “People of Deogarh cannot be deprived of accessible healthcare. Until proper facilities are ensured at the new hospital, the government must restore 24x7 services at the old DHH building to ease the suffering of patients,” said Biswal.
Later, the bandh supporters blocked the highway again, prompting police to detain the MLA along with hundreds of other agitators including Mahila Ekta Manch and Yuva Ekta Manch leaders.
Despite the arrests, the town continued to remain under a complete shutdown till 6 pm. Heavy police deployment was made across sensitive locations in the town to maintain law and order.
The bandh received support from various organisations including Zilla Nagarik Committee and Senior Citizens’ Forum among others.
Earlier on August 21, a similar 12-hour Deogarh bandh was observed over the same demand, highlighting the growing public demand for improved healthcare infrastructure in the district.