Odisha Bandh Disrupts Normal Life Over Paddy Procurement Issues
Normal life was partially disrupted across Odisha on Wednesday following a statewide bandh called by the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS), a prominent farmers' organization. The protest was organized over alleged irregularities in paddy procurement processes, with the Congress party extending its support to the agitation.
Widespread Disruption and Road Blockades
Protesters staged road blockades and demonstrations at multiple locations throughout the state, significantly affecting vehicular traffic and leading to the closure of numerous shops, businesses, and some educational institutions. The bandh created substantial inconvenience for commuters and residents across various districts.
In Bhubaneswar, protesters blocked the crucial Puri bypass road that connects the state capital with the pilgrimage city of Puri. Additional blockades occurred at Uttara Chak, where demonstrators burned tyres on the roadway. These actions resulted in many buses, trucks, cars, and other vehicles being stranded during the morning hours.
Transportation System Paralyzed
The transportation network across Odisha faced severe disruption during the bandh period. The inter-state bus terminal at Baramunda and the Netaji bus terminal at Cuttack remained deserted throughout the morning. Several other bus stands across the state reported minimal activity as private bus operators chose not to ply their vehicles, fearing potential attacks or vandalism by protesters.
While city buses in Bhubaneswar continued operations, many private buses remained off the roads. Protesters stopped some buses with passengers in the middle of roads, creating additional challenges for commuters. Many people waited anxiously at bus terminals and stops but found no transportation available until 2 pm.
Bilas Patra from Bhadrak shared his experience: "My brother-in-law is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. My bus was stopped at Chandikhole, causing significant delay and concern."
Regional Impact and Police Response
Districts including Bargarh, Balangir, Sonepur, and other areas in western Odisha felt the pronounced impact of the bandh. However, train services continued to operate without any reported disruptions throughout the protest period.
Police authorities detained several NKS protesters from Master Canteen Square in Bhubaneswar as part of maintaining law and order. The bandh was scheduled from 6 am to 2 pm, after which traffic gradually returned to normal across the state in the afternoon hours.
Protesters' Demands and Government Response
Akshaya Kumar, chief of the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan, stated: "The bandh was peaceful across the state. Our focus remains on three critical issues: problems affecting peasants, power sector concerns, and pollution control matters. We demand that the government streamline the paddy procurement process in favor of farmers, stop collecting additional security deposits from power consumers, and resolve the pollution under control (PUC) certificate issue. If the government fails to address these concerns, we will conduct another statewide agitation."
Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra dismissed the bandh as a 'flop show' and claimed that genuine farmers did not participate in the protest. He asserted: "Since the government is providing Rs 3,100 per quintal of paddy, farmers are satisfied with current arrangements. We observed minimal impact from the bandh. Certain individuals are misleading farmers, and we appeal to the farming community to distance themselves from such elements."
The minister further clarified procurement statistics: "Some protesters claimed the government procured 25 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, but in reality, we have procured 37.91 lakh metric tonnes until Tuesday. We have also disbursed more than Rs 8,000 crore to farmers. Paddy procurement continues smoothly across the state without significant interruption."
