Hartal affects normal life in many parts of Odisha

Normal life was affected in many parts of Odisha during the dawn-to-dusk hartal called by Congress demanding resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik following Justice M B Shah Commission of Inquiry's report on multi-crore mining scam.
Shops and business establishments, banks, schools, colleges and other educational institutions remained closed in most places, including Sambalpur, Balasore, Berhampur, Cuttack, Puri and Baripada, sources said.
Vehicular traffic came to a grinding halt in many areas during the 12-hour bandh as passenger buses, trucks, auto-rickshaws and private vehicles did not ply.
The areas under the jurisdiction of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) were, however, exempted from the purview of the bandh in view of the urban body elections tomorrow, Congress leaders said.

"There is only a symbolic protest in the BMC area in view of the urban body elections to ensure smooth preparation for the polls," OPCC President Jaydev Jena said.
The hartal remained peaceful so far and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the state, police said.

Elaborate security arrangements had been made with deployment of forces in all sensitive areas of the state, including the state capital in order to prevent any disturbances during the bandh, he said.
The private bus owners association had already announced the operators were not prepared to take the risk of running vehicles across the state. About 14,000 private buses ply in the state.

Stating that Shah panel's report has vindicated the stand taken by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) on the multi-crore mining scam which had been alleging massive loot of precious minerals in the state under BJD government's patronage, Jena said.
"As Naveen Patnaik's role in the mining plunder is now exposed, he must resign as Chief Minister forthwith and should be arrested," he said, adding Congress party would continue agitation till Patnaik resigns.