KEONJHAR: Normal life was disrupted in Keonjhar district following a 12-hour bandh call given by Milita Kriyanusthana Committee on Wednesday.
The committee’s demands include steps to expedite work for establishment of Keonjhar medical college, an agriculture university in the district, upgradation of Dharanidhar Autonomous College to unitary university, rail link to Anandpur and Champua, mega steel plant in collaboration with SAIL and proper use of Baitarani river water for the farmers.
Educational institutions, offices and business establishments remained closed during the bandh. While vehicles remained off the road on both sides of NH 49 and 215, passengers were stranded at Keonjhar railway station.
Committee leaders alleged that the mineral-rich district is being neglected though the Government earns huge revenue from the region.
Calling the strike baseless, district BJD president Ashis Chakravorty said, on March 1 Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had declared to set up a medical college at Keonjhar. The land was also acquired by Keonjhar Tehsildar and a tender floated. Work for the same will begin soon. So the purpose of the bandh is not justified, he added.
Similarly, district BJP president, Radhakanta Mahanta also opposed the strike and said it is the hidden agenda of Champua Independent MLA Sanatan Mahakud before the panchayat poll.
Convener of the committee Rudranarayan Mahanta, former MLA Mohan Charan Majhi, Biraja Mishra, Arun Das, Girija Mishra, Saroj Sahoo took lead in the strike.
The shutdown was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the district. Security was beefed up in the district in view of the agitation, a senior police officer said.
Earlier, the activists had staged a dharna outside the collectorate from September 23 to 27 to press for their demands.