A six-hour bandh called by a tribal youth organisation, Adivasi Yuva Samaj (AYS), to protest against the killing of five innocent tribals in police firing during an anti-Maoist operation in Kandhamal district had its effect in Rayagada town, the district headquarter of Rayagada district in south Odisha, on Tuesday.
The bandh call was from 6 a.m. till noon. The AYS activists blocked roads by burning tyres and also were seen picketing at several places. Because of their agitation, vehicular traffic was disrupted in Rayagada town and plying of passenger buses and other vehicles from this district headquarter town to other places was hampered. However, the agitators had exempted emergency services as well as educational institutions from the bandh. Most shops and business establishments in Rayagada had their shutters down till noon and opened up only after noon time.
Speaking to The Hindu , Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Rayagada Y. Jagannath Rao said adequate security arrangements had been made. According to him, no untoward incidents were reported during the hartal. However, the bandh did not affect life in any other part of the district.
