Bargarh: Members of ‘Koshal State Joint Action Committee’ observed a bandh Saturday demanding statehood for several western Odisha districts under the name of ‘Koshal’ state. The impact of the bandh was felt significantly in Odisha’s Bargarh district among others.
According to a source, the bandh was observed in as many as 11 districts of the state.
In Bargarh, shops, markets and streets were deserted after 6am. While vehicular movement came to a standstill, government and private offices along with schools and colleges remained shut.
Members of the committee were seen picketing across various junctions of Bargarh town and shouting slogans demanding the creation of separate ‘Koshal’ state.
Various organisations, including ‘Koshal Sena’, ‘Koshal Mazdoor Sangh’, ‘Koshal Mukti Morcha’ and ‘Western Odisha Yuva Manch’ joined the protest, the source added.
Notably, Sambalpur remained unaffected by the bandh as bus services continued without disruption and various business establishments were open in the town. It is worth noting that the Hirakhand Front and Sambalpuri Language and Culture Council chose not to engage in the bandh, expressing their opposition to the protesters’ use of the name ‘Koshal’.
Urging the residents of Sambalpur to refrain from participating in the bandh, they have submitted a memorandum to the Odisha Governor through the RDC, Northern Division, addressing this matter.
PNN