The Bharat bandh called by various groups protesting against caste-based reservation affected normal life in several parts of the State, mostly western Odisha, on Tuesday.
In Balangir, shops and other business establishments, banks, schools and colleges remained closed due to the anti-reservation protests. Vehicular communications was affected in the town after some protestors held a road blockade in front of the district Collectorate by burning tyres.
Another group of protestors barged into the railway station and halted the Tapaswini Express for nearly 30 minutes, disrupting train services for a while.
In Kalahandi, the bandh impact was mainly witnessed in areas like Jaipatna, Kalampur, Baner and Parla. All educational institutions were shut whereas vehicular movement was hit due to picketing and road blockades at several places.
In Mayurbhanj, activists observed the bandh by staging picketing in Baripada, Rairangpur, Karanjia and Udala. Similarly, the Joint Action Committee of Boudh also joined the protest. All Government and private offices were closed due to the bandh.
Meanwhile, tension prevailed in Nuapada as a group opposed the ongoing anti-reservation protests which led to brick-batting between the two sides. However, police quickly brought the situation under control.
Police forces were deployed at several places to avoid any untoward incidents during the bandh.