Bandh affects life in Sambalpur

Normal life was hit in Odisha's Sambalpur district today in response to the dawn to dusk bandh called by the 'People's forum for IIM' over the demand for setting up of the proposed Indian Institute of Management (IIM) here.
The markets, financial institution, school, courts, educational institutions, state and central government offices remained closed in Sambalpur and Kuchinda areas because of the bandh.
The public transport came to a grinding halt as the bandh received support from people of all walks of life.
The bandh supporter stopped the movement of the Sambalpur- Rayagada Intercity Express for around 25 minutes at Khetrajpur railway station.

All the political parties, including the BJD extended support to the agitation. The bandh supporters were also seen picketing at several places.
Yesterday the residents of the city under the aegis of the Peoples' forum for IIM in Sambalpur had formed a human chain demanding the establishment of the proposed IIM here. The forum had also flagged off a 'Rath' to mobilise the people over the demand on Sunday.

Sambalpur district President of the Biju Janata Dal, Rohit Pujari said, "We support the bandh. But the central government has left no option for the establishment of the IIM here.
The central government has specified that the IIM should be located at a place within an hour's distance from the nearby airport, Pujari said.

The shutdown took place in Kuchinda, Rairakhol, Burla and Hirakud of the district also.