Bhubaneswar: The Congress and Left leaders claimed success of All India Shutdown disrupted normal life in Odisha on Tuesday, which was almost peaceful
Both the Political Parties workers and supporters Highway and Railway tracks along with Trade Union leaders to enforce the nationwide shutdown, called by the Farmers’ Association seeking repeal of three new Laws on Agriculture Sector.
There was total halt on major vehicular movement with the supporters of the ‘Bharat Bandh’ blocking National and State Highways and staging demonstrations holding placards and banners.
Left workers held Sit-In on Railway Tracks and Train services were also affected Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Bhadrak and Balasore, leaving passengers stranded for long hours.
The Shut Down was largely peaceful and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the state, according to Police officials.
Around 500 protesters, including 200 in the state capital, courted arrest and were held in preventive detention while staging demonstrations in different places, the officer said.
Asish Kanungo, State Secretary CPI said the shutdown, backed by many organizations including Left parties and Congress, evoked spontaneous response from all sections of people.
Vehicular movement was also hit in Bhubaneswar Cuttack, Balasore, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Bhawanipatna, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Khurda and Puri.
Activists of Nabanirman Krushak Sanghathan staged demonstrations in Jagatsinghpur and outskirts of Bhubaneswar.
While essential services were kept out of the purview of the shutdown, markets, shopping malls and petrol pumps remained shut in most places.
Odisha Government offices remained closed in view of the shutdown.
However, essential services provided by the State Government remained functional, official sources said.
The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has rescheduled General Studies Paper I and II of the State Civil Services, Main examination, which was scheduled to be held during the day, to January 2.
Samir Mohanty, Odisha BJP President hard hit at the Congress and other parties, accusing them of “misleading” farmers and “creating hurdles” in the development of the farming community.
He said that Narendra Modi Government is for the benefit of farmers and middlemen are up in arms against the progressive Laws on Agriculture as the Centre has made them powerless and freed the farmers from their clutches”.
OPCC President Niranjan Patnaik said, both the BJP and the ruling BJD in Odisha are working against the interests of farmers.
However Biju Janata Dal (BJD) asserted that the regional party has all along been working for the welfare and empowerment of farmers.
The BJD, which has always demanded doubling of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) as suggested by the Swaminathan Committee, will always work for safeguarding the interests of farmers, said BJD MP Dr.Sasmit Patra.