Sambalpur (Odisha), November 18 (Language) The 12-hour bandh called by the Kosal Rajya Milita Kriyanusthan Committee in western Odisha on Saturday, demanding the formation of a separate Kosal state, had a mixed effect and many business establishments remained closed.
Government and private offices, educational institutions, banks, shops and markets remained closed due to the strike in Bargarh, Balangir, Sonpur, Nuapada and Kalahandi districts of western Odisha. Passenger buses also remained off the roads.
There was no effect of the bandh in Jharsuguda, Deogarh and Sundargarh districts.
The bandh affected normal life in Kuchinda and Rirakhol areas of Sambalpur district but the district headquarters town of Sambalpur remained largely unaffected. Some bandh supporters blocked the road at Ainthapali in Sambalpur, but the police removed them from there.
Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar told PTI, “The bandh was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported in any part of western Odisha.”
Pramod Mishra, leader of Kosal State Milita Ceremony Committee, claimed that the bandh was successful.
“People from all walks of life, including some political groups, supported the bandh,” he said. We will continue this movement till the formation of the new state.
Koshala Mukti Morcha president Sagar Charan Das alleged that the state government has always ignored the western Odisha region.
Language Shafiq Madhav
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