The 12-hour hartal called by the BJP protesting the death of the Mahakalpada rape and burn victim Sujata Bairagi in particular and degradation of law and order in the State in general received wide public response and other places in Ganjam district on Saturday.
Trains and buses did not run due to protests by BJP workers. Most of the schools and colleges, Post Offices and banks could not function. A group of BJP supporters led by former Assembly Deputy Speaker and national vice-president of BJP Kissan Morcha Rama Chandra Panda picketed before the main branch of the State Bank of India, after which the bank employees left their office.
The BJP leaders slammed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his failure to check crimes, particularly against rapes.Among others who joined the picketing were BJP district president BK Swain, Kamana Padhi, Saroj Sabat and youth leaders Rama Patra, Jagannath Jena, Neelakantha Sahu, Prabhat Sadangi and Buchi. The hartal was also held at Ganjam, Humma, Rambha and Chhatrapur.
While former ZP president Dharanidhar Behera, advocate Kuna Padhi and youth leaders Gangadhar Panda and Uma Mohanty led the picketing at Chhatrapur; youth leaders Surath Pahan and Manoj Tarai and BJP Ganjam block president Satrughna Mahankud led the stir at Ganjam and Rambha.