Bandh affects normal life in Puri town

Life was disrupted in the pilgrim town of Puri today due to a shutdown called by the Bar Association to protest the killing of a lawyer and alleged deterioration in law and order.
Shops, business establishments, markets, educational institutions, banks and offices remained closed during the 12-hour bandh called by the Puri Bar Association against the recent killing of lawyer Laxmidhar Mohapatra.
While vehicular movement came to a grinding halt, train services were also affected for some time as protesters staged demonstrations and blockade at several places during the bandh, which was supported by Congress, BJP and CPI-M.
Agitating lawyers staged road blockade at Medical Chhak by burning tyres, leaving a large number of vehicles stranded near the entry point to the town, police said.

While passenger buses remained off the roads, the demonstrators stated protest at the railway station, causing inconvenience to the commuters.
Puri Bar Association President Bijay Kumar Mishra said a spurt in anti-social activities have led to a worsening law and order in the seaside town.

Mishra said the lawyers are demanding an impartial and speedy probe into the lawyer's killing and arrest of all the culprits.
Elsewhere in the state, lawyers condemned the killing and extended support to the bandh.
Additional Superintendent of Poice Banbihari Sahu said, two persons have already been arrested in connection with the killing.