The ruling BJD is all set to observe its State wide dawn- to- dusk Hartal on Friday protesting against the Center’s “step-motherly” attitude towards Odisha in providing financial assistance and not according the special category status to the State.
Notably, the ruling party is observing the Hartal, notwithstanding the Supreme Courts notice issued on Thursday to the Center and States acting on a PIl for a direction to implement the guidelines relating to destruction of public and private properties during Dharna and Hartals by political parties or any organisation. The notice is returnable in four weeks.
The apex court had earlier categorically laid down that Bandh or Hartal is unconstitutional and the State has the obligation to protect the citizens against it.
However, political parties and other organizations continued to declare Bandhs and general strikes disregarding the Supreme Court’s judgment and destroying private and public property in large scale, the PIl said.
Meanwhile, Information and Public Relations Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo asserted that the Hartal would be observed in a peaceful manner without any coercion and power, water supply, health services, ambulance services examinations in schools and colleges and the working journalists would be kept out of the purview of the Hartal.
According to BJD sources, the party activists and Hartal supporters would demonstrate before the railway stations and at railway tracks at different places appealing for stopping of railway services for at least three hours from 6 am as a token protest. The party activists would demonstrate before the Central and State Government offices as part of the Hartal. Besides, the party has also decided to demonstrate before the bus stands and resort to road blockades.
Apprehending untoward situation, the city bus services authorities in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Puri have decided not to ply their buses during the Hartal. However, the State run OSRTC and Private Bus owners Association said that they would only run the buses on the availability of passengers and would stop plying them if there is any law and order situation.
On the other hand, despite the ruling party sponsored call for the Hartal, the State Government has decided to open its offices on Friday. In Bhubaneswar, the gates of Government offices, including the Secretariat, would be closed at 10.15 am till 6 pm. Only authorized pass holders would be allowed into the offices, official sources said.
Though educational institutions would remain open, the classes have been suspended and the students have been advised not to come to the school or colleges during the Hartal apprehending law and order situation.