Orissa hit by Maoists bandh

Bhubaneswar, Feb 7 (PTI) Normal life was affected inseveral Maoist-hit areas of Orissa today following disruptionof vehicular movement and closure of shops during a "BharatBandh" called by the rebels against price rise and scams indifferent sectors.

Impact of the shut-down was felt in districts likeMalkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Ganjam andSundargarh as private and government buses and stopped plyingand shops and business establishments downed their shutters,police sources said.

Offices and educational institutions recorded thinattendance and roads wore a deserted look, particularly inremote areas in these districts, they said.

Security was tightened in Maoist-hit areas with heavyforce deployment and intensive patrolling in vulnerable placesto prevent any untoward incident, police said adding noviolence was reported from anywhere in the state.

In Malkangiri district, vehicular movement virtuallycame to a halt as inter-state buses were off the road andprivate vehicles were seen in reduced numbers. Impact of thebandh was more pronounced in areas like Motu, Chitrakonda,Padia and Mthili, while a large number of posters and bannerswere found in Gobindpali ghati, sources said.

In Koraput district, Narayanpatna, Bandhugaon andBaipariguda were affected by the shut-down.

Shops and business outfits remained closed inDaringbadi, Tumudibandh, Brahmanigaon, Kotagada, Baliguda andRaikia areas of Kandhamal district.

Workers did not turn up at Kalta and Koida mines inSundargarh district bordering Jharkhand. Life was hit inremote areas of the district.