Bandh evokes partial response in Orissa

Bhubaneswar, Aug 20 (UNI) The 24-hour nationwide strike, called by the Left wing trade unions to protest against the Union government's 'anti-people' economic policies and the Indo-US Nuke deal, evoked a partial response in Orissa today.

The bandh passed off peacefully with no untoward incident reported from anywhere.

Shops, commercial establishments, Banks were closed all over the state in response to the bandh call.

However, government offices were open and functioned normally.

Vehicles were off the roads at many places.

Educational institutions, including colleges and schools, remained open in many areas.

Train services were affected as the East Coast Railway authorities cancelled, rescheduled and short terminated several trains.

The 461/462 Jajpur-Keonjhar Road-Kharagpur and Jajpur-Keonjhar Road Passenger were cancelled.

The 8646 Hyderabad-Howrah East Coast Express was short terminated at Bhadrak, the 2872 Sambalpur-Howrah Ispat Express was short terminated at Chakradharpur.

The 2801 Puri-New Delhi Purushottam Express was rescheduled.

Hundreds of bandh supporters were arrested from different places during the bandh.

A report from Rourkela said the Howrah-Bombay Express and three goods trains were detained for more than two hours at Rourkela due to the bandh. More than 150 agitators were arrested.

A Baripada report said not a single vehicle was seen plying on the NH 5.

Around 200 agitators were arrested from Puri. Schools, colleges and government offices were open. But heavy vehicles were off the roads.

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