Balasore: Alleging disruption of law and order situation in Balasore, various outfits and political parties peacefully observed a 12-hour bandh here Thursday. Vehicular traffic was severely hit on several roads and shops were shut across the Balasore town due to the bandh. The bandh call was given by various organisations protesting ‘deteriorating law and order situation’ in the town.
Holding placards and expressing resentment over police inaction on checking crimes in Balasore, the protesters hit the streets at 6 am at many places. Earlier, various outfits had appealed to people in Balasore town to extend their support to the shutdown against several key issues including continued drug trafficking, theft and murders and criminal activities posing threat to public life.
In support of the bandh, leaders from different outfits staged protests in various parts of the coastal town. No commercial establishments in the town were open. Agitating people shouted slogans and resorted to picketing at Station Chhak, Fakirmohan Golei, Phandi Chhak, Golapokhari Chhak and Bus Stand area against police for their alleged inefficiency in curbing the crimes.
Transport labourers, street vendors, auto rickshaw operators and taxi drivers supported the bandh. The District Bar Association and Balasore Civil Society had called the bandh in protest against the rising cases of theft, robbery, loot, snatching, murders, and drugs trafficking across the district.