Bhubaneswar: A dawn-to-dusk bandh called by Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan, a farmers’ organisation over the alleged apathetic attitude of the State Government towards the farmers, began today across Odisha amid tight security with Opposition parties, including the Congress and BJP, supporting it.
The NNKS has given the call for the bandh demanding proper minimum support rice on paddy, pension and prestige for the farmers.
Train services through the State were affected as protestors staged demonstrations in different important stations, including Bhubaneswar. Bus services were also withdrawn from the highways. However, by-cycles, two-wheelers and three-wheelers were seen moving on the streets.
Several people were taken into preventive custody from different places in capital city here.
Nearly 80 bandh supporters were picked up by the police from different important junctions like Master Canteen, Kalpana and Sikharchandi Squares while picketing and obstructing movement of vehicles, informed Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissioner of Police Satyaajit Mohantty.
The bandh, called by the NNKS has been given support by opposition Congress and BJP as both the parties are also critical of the Naveen Patnaik Government over its alleged negligence towards the farming community.
So far, there was no report of any untoward incident received from anywhere in the State. Thousands of police personnel have been deployed in the State. A large number of security personnel had also been deployed at important places, including the State Secretariat and Chief Minister’s residence to maintain law and order.
The NNKS is demanding price, pension and prestige for farmers.