Normal life came to a grinding halt in Cuttack city on Friday when people from all walks of life supported the 12-hour bandh called by the city Congress against the city being neglected by the ruling BJD.
More than 200 Congress workers, including party’s city president Md Moqim and PCC vice president Suresh Mohapatra, were taken into preventive custody for picketing at different places in the city.
The Congress had given the bandh call raising at least 12 important issues concerning the city, including the poor road conditions and lack of basic civic amenities. Seeing the people’s response, the city police had made elaborate security arrangements to ensure that the bandh passes off peacefully.
Sending a strong message to the ruling dispensation, both at the State level and at local civic body, people of the city supported the bandh. While business establishments downed their shutters, vehicular traffic came to a grinding halt. Educational institutions, banks, offices and courts witnessed thin attendances.
While the Congress activists picketed for a brief period at the Railway station, train services through the city were affected for over two hours in the morning.
Briefing media men, Moqim informed that the bandh was a success due to the support and cooperation of the people. PCC vice-president Suresh Mohapatra also informed that the Chief Justice of Orissa High Court had summoned some party leaders about the purpose of the bandh.
