The dawn-to-dusk hartal call given by the BJP Town wing evoked an almost total response on Wednesday.The hartal call was given mainly on three issues, corruption in the Baleswar Municipality, autocratic functioning of power distribution company Nesco and bad management of the District Headquarters Hospital.
Shops and other business establishments including vegetable and fish markets were closed. Though the Government offices were open, they hardly had any attendances. The courts too couldn’t function.
The schools, colleges and other educational institutions also remained closed. Similarly, banks and ATM counters were found closed along with other financial institutions and fuel outlets. The main market areas were deserted till noon.
The buses instead of plying through their usual routes preferred a diversion through the Remuna Golai. Train services and the National Highway were, however, left untouched by the agitators.
The Defence establishments in Chandipur had advanced their reporting time to avoid any eventuality.The agitators led by BJP district president Madan Mohan Dutta organsied rallies in the town.
“The Baleswar Municipality is neck-deep in corruption. The holding tax is being pocketed without any accountability. The Nesco is resorting to monopoly service and whimsical decisions and has completely failed to provide quality and uninterrupted power service. Similarly, the District Headquarters Hospital suffers from acute shortage of doctors and other staffs,” said Dutta.