The call for 12-hour Hartal by the BJD evoked a good response in Baleswar. Shops and other essential establishments such as fuel outlets and ATM counters in the main market areas remained closed for the day.
The main market streets wore deserted look, while schools, colleges and other educational institutions although officially open couldn’t function.
Banks, insurance firms, other financial institutions and postal offices too were closed. Government offices were open but with thin attendances and the courts couldn’t perform their proceedings.
However, the Defence establishments advanced their working hours with their personnel reporting for duty before 6 am.
While buses, trucks and three-wheelers were off the roads, several trains were detained in different stations till 9 am.
Sadar MlA Jiban Pradip Dash, BJD district president and Bhograi MlA Ananta Das, Remuna MlA Sudarshan Jena, Baleswar Regional Improvement Trust Chairman Gouri Kumar Rout and Zilla Parishad President Ummilata Das were in the agitation.