Bargarh: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal have called for 12-hour bandh in this town Wednesday as a mark of protest against the attack on the bike procession on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti in Sambalpur few days back. Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders said Tuesday that all business establishments, marketplaces, shops, government and private offices, schools and colleges in the town will remain closed from 6.00am to 6.00pm Wednesday. Vehicular movements will be completely halted except the ones providing emergency services, a spokesperson of VHP informed.
The spokesperson also said that the 12-hour bandh will be observed peacefully. He added that a bike rally will be taken out Tuesday evening to garner support for the bandh. The VHP spokesperson stated that the organisation expects the bandh to be successful.
Meanwhile in a separate development, the Sambalpur administration extended Tuesday the ceasure of internet services till 10.00am Wednesday morning. So far 85 persons have been arrested in Sambalpur for their alleged involvement in violence on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.