The Congress Party workers protest in Khordha when they observe Odisha Bandh. (Screengrab) (x/@nor)
Normal life was partially influenced in ODISha as an opposition congress on Thursday (July 17, 2025), and seven other political parties enforced a 12 -hour band across the state of the death of a university student after being denied justice in the alleged incident of sexual harassment.
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Roads in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and other parts of the state wore an abandoned look with several vehicles, and in some places train services such as Jatni, Puri and Bhadrak were affected, as opposition parties started demonstrations from 6:00 to support the band.
Markets, schools and business facilities remained closed.
Demonstrators introduced blockages on several arterial roads in the capital of the state, raised the slogans against the BJP government, and demanded justice of the deceased university girl in Balasore.
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Congress, CPI, CPI (M), CPIM (ML), Forward Bloc, RJD, SP and NCP got into the streets and held their flag flags to push Bandh.
“We are telling people to support a band because there is no security for women in Odisha because the BJP has established a government in the state. Up to 15 women and girls are raped in the state and the government could not completely control these incidents,” Ram Chandam Kadam said.
However, basic services such as ambulance movement, medical facilities, medicine and milk salons stores were liberated from the idea of a band.
Opposition parties have already asked for markets, transport, educational institutions, offices and banks to support the call.
“Bandh is observed peacefully throughout the state, including the capital of Bhubaneswar, and the public is asked for cooperation,” said OPCC President Bhacta Charan Das, adding that patrols on national motorways and railway stations are taking place.
The Odisha’s Petroleum Dealers’ Association closed all its fuel outlets on Thursday from 6:00 to 18:00 as preventive measures.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience,” said Sasanka Shekhar Sahu, President of the Association.
The state government has tightened security through Odisha with regard to Bandh.
The home department ordered all district collectors and SPS to remain in high readiness with regard to road blockages, patrol, agitation and also warn them of violence during a 12 -hour band.
The government ordered its employees to come to their offices some time ago.
Police in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and other capital cities have taken extensive security measures to ensure public order, the officer said.
Camera and high-resolution cameras and drones with high-resolution are deployed to key points, markets and government buildings to monitor the situation, said the police commissioner Bhubanesware-Cuttack with Dev Datta Singh.
“The situation is carefully monitored via the central order settings,” the officer added.
Published – 17th July 2025 10:35
