'hakka Jam' paralyses traffic in Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack

Vehicular traffic came to a halt in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack today during a 6-hour 'Chakka Jam' called by the Congress in protest against steep hike in the prices of petrol and diesel.

A large number of buses and trucks were stranded on the national highway connecting the twin-cities due to the protest from 6 am to 12 noon. Bus stands in the two cities were crowded with stranded passengers, the police said.

Auto-rickshaws were also off the roads, while people avoided taking out their own vehicles and some two-wheelers were seen plying the streets.

Congress activists were seen picketing near Vani Vihar and Rasulgarh holding placards and flags and by burning tyres on the road and urging people not to ply vehicles as a mark of protest. Several protesters were detained by police near AG Square while trying to stage a demonstration, they said.

In Cuttack, Congress activists held picketing in several areas including Madhupatna Jagatpur, Sikharpur and Badambadi and requested the people to avoid using vehicles during the 'Cakka Jam.'