Medicos observe Berhampur Bandh to protest reservation

Berhampur, Jun 1 (UNI) The dawn-to-dusk Berhampur bandh called by the medicos in MKCG Medical College and Hospital here protesting against the reservation policy evoked good response today.

All business establishments and shops, including medicine shops, were closed while buses,both private and government run Orissa State Road Transport Corporation were off the road.

Train services were severely affected as the striking medicos squatted on the tracks forcing the railways to detain various long distance trains at different stations.

The agitating medicos burnt tyres at Gopalpur square on National Highway 5 and resorted to 'rasta roko' agitation. As a result thousands of trucks were stranded on the National Highway since this morning.

East Coast Railway(ECoR) sources, however, said train services were resumed after 1200 hours as the agitating medicos withdrew their squatting on the tracks.

MKCG Medical College House Surgeons Association President Dr Ashis Shukla claimed that nearly 15 Associations, including Chamber of Commerce, Private Bus Operators Association, Bar Association and Chemist and Druggist Association, had extended their support to the medicos to observe the bandh.

Police made elaborate security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident. However, no untoward incident was reported so far from the town, police said.

UNI XC-DP PL DB1548