The bandh called by the BJP and the Congress evoked mixed response in the district. While normal life was affected in the town and industrial areas, but the bandh hardly had any impact in the rural areas.
Road traffic was hit in the district due to the bandh as long-distance buses and commercial vehicles remained off the road. loading and unloading activities in several private mines in Kaliapani and its nearby areas were also affected due to the bandhh, sources said.
"The police have made elaborate security arrangements to meet any eventuality during the bandh and intensified patrolling in the town areas,” said Sub- Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Jajpur Kedar Sahoo.
He added that there was no untoward incident anywhere across the district. Industries, educational institutes, banks and non-Government offices remained closed during the day. Many ATMs were shut down by the bank authorities during the bandh for which many persons faced problems to withdraw money. Highways touching areas remained deserted while the police continued patrolling at strategic places, including railway tracks and small railway stations. loading and unloading of various minerals were affected as trucks did not operate following the bandh, sources said.