: Normal life was disrupted in Kandhamal district of Odisha on Saturday due to a 12-hour bandh call by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to protest against the ban on entry of its leader Pravin Togadia into the district.
According to police sources, no untoward incidents had been reported from any part of the district till afternoon.
Vehicular traffic was drastically affected in the district due to the bandh. Most banks, trading and business establishments remained closed.
Work at government offices was affected due to picketing by VHP activists.
The effect of the bandh was evident in some other major places of the district like Daringbadi and Raikia.
This bandh call did not disrupt examination process in educational institutions as the VHP had exempted them and other essential services like health services from the hartal.
Local leaders of the BJP also came out in support of the bandh call.
As decided earlier the VHP did not organise its proposed rally and public meeting in Phulbani.
Through the prohibition imposed under Section 144 of the CrPC, the Kandhamal district administration had restricted the entry of Mr Togadia into the district for seven days from February 27.
The Christian community of Kandhamal district had urged the government and administration to ban the entry of Mr Togadia into the district to attend the proposed VHP public meeting.
Ramakant Baliarsingh, a Christian resident of Brahmanigaon area of Kandhamal district has filed a petition before Kandhamal district magistrate on Febraury 24 urging restriction on activities of Mr Togadia in Kandhamal district.
