A bandh called by the Maoists here on Saturday had a limited impact with vehicular movement partially affected in south Odisha districts of Rayagada, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Ganjam and Gajapati.
Through an audio clip despatched to media outlets, the Bansadhara-Ghumusar-Nagabali division of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) had called for the bandh in support of three demands — for the immediate arrest of the culprits responsible for the gangrape of a Class IX girl near Kunduli in Koraput district on October 10, for an end to the violence against tribal women, and to reserve the use of water of the Mahanadi river only for farmers. The Maoists had also put up posters at several remote places urging people to support them.
As a precautionary measure, the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation had stopped plying its buses in these five districts on Saturday. Private buses and small passenger vehicles however continued their operations.
In Kandhamal district, the NH-59 was blocked by the ultras by felling trees leaving several vehicles stranded.
A person named Mohan Majhi was also reportedly murdered in Rampur area of Kalahandi district. However, the police have not confirmed if the Maoists were responsible for it.