Baipariguda, Jan 30: The Odisha bandh call given by the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan received support from Congress leaders in different parts of Koraput district. Congress workers staged road blockades on national highways and raised slogans against the state government.
The protest was held over issues such as alleged irregularities in paddy procurement, collection of money in the name of pollution certificates, and alleged fraud in the installation of smart electricity meters. Due to the road blockade, vehicles remained stranded in several areas, and shops and markets in many towns remained closed.
District Congress President Rupak Nimai and other leaders including Bharat Das, senior Congress leader Ushamani Ulaka, MP representative Manoj Arya, Sandhya Naina, Chandrapuja Tiai, Dinayak Das, Ramesh Khara, Biren Naik and several party workers participated in the agitation.
At Laxmipur, Congress workers led by local President Naibana Kholar blocked the national highway. Laxmipur विधायक Pabitra Saunta also joined the bandh and warned that the agitation would be intensified in the coming days. Constituency Youth President Manda Khara, youth leaders Pappu Nijta, Ajit Bagh, Pancha Khara, Samaj Das and others were present.
In Baipariguda, shops and business establishments remained completely closed. Various traders’ associations and members of the public extended their support to the bandh. Among those present were Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, Dicit Nayak, Kagirathi Murtia, Jagannath Bisoyi, Baraja Rao, Ram Shiu, Ashish Nam, Mahesh Pattnaik and others.
In other areas too, Congress and BJD leaders joined the protest. Shops, schools and offices remained closed in several places. In Semiliguda, traffic was blocked as part of the protest. Congress workers staged demonstrations in front of block and tehsil offices, raising slogans against the state government.
District Congress leaders including President Gokulananda Pattnaik, Secretary Debaraj Mallik, senior member Laxmikant Pattnaik, former MLA Anam Dian, Manohar Bisoi, Krushak Kalyan Manch Block President Panchanan Majhi, Salim, Montu Dutta, Amar Manch members, Ashok Kandapan, Jagani Bagh, Kendra Gatisyam, Anik Dhadka and others participated in the bandh.
However, in Kakiriguma, the impact of the bandh was minimal, as no major protest was reported and most shops remained open.