Normal life was completely paralysed in Odisha as Congress and other opposition parties observed Bharat Bandh protesting against hike in fuel prices on Monday morning.
Biju Patnaik University of Technology suspended examinations of all professional courses in view of the bandh. Schools and colleges remained closed.
The State government had issued prior direction for all government employees to enter their respective offices before 9.30 am. Ministers and MLAs were seen walking into Odisha State Legislative Assembly which is in session.
Congress offers flowers
Odisha Congress leaders adopted innovative approach by offering flowers and requesting general public support the bandh. The Congress also opened a control room to make sure that its cadres don’t take law into their hands.
Although banks remained open, they kept their shutters down.
Buses, private cars and other public transport vehicles kept off the road while train services were hit as Congress workers squatted on railway tracks at different places. There was no report of any violence from districts.
The CPI(M) cadre staged picketing in front of offices oil marketing companies.