The dawn to dusk bandh called by State BJP had no impact on works in the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) on Saturday. Loading and unloading of cargo in the port remained unaffected even as BJP members picketed at various points in the area. Similarly, work in plants of PPL, IFFCO, ESSAR, IOCL’s refinery project was not affected. Over 60 BJP workers were arrested and later released on bail.
At a public meeting, BJP leaders held the State Government responsible for rising number of atrocities against women. Students of Adikabi Sarala Das College too staged road blockade at Tirtol over the incident.
At Angul though, the bandh hit coal mining works. BJP workers led by former MP Rudra Narayan Pany and district president Asoke Mahanty staged road blockade in Angul city and NH-55. They also stopped train movement through Angul station. At Talcher, BJP workers led by Kalandi Samal stopped functioning of all the seven coal mines and brought coal transportation to a grinding halt.