Normal life was affected in many parts of the Odisha during the dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the Congress demanding resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the wake of the Justice MB Shah Commission of Inquiry’s report that minerals worth Rs 60,000 crore have been looted from the State with the knowledge of politicians and bureaucrats.
Shops and business establishments, banks, schools, colleges and other educational institutions remained closed in most places. Vehicular traffic came to a grinding halt in many areas during the 12-hour bandh as passenger buses, trucks, auto-rickshaws and private vehicles did not ply.
The areas under the jurisdiction of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) were, however, exempted from the purview of the bandh in view of the urban body elections to be held on Wednesday.
“There is only a symbolic protest in the BMC area in view of the urban body elections to ensure smooth preparation for the polls,” OPCC president Jayadev Jena said.
The hartal remained by and large peaceful. Elaborate security arrangements were made with deployment of forces in all sensitive areas of the State, including the capital city.
The private bus owners’ association had already announced that the operators were not prepared to take the risk of running vehicles. About 14,000 private buses ply in the State every day.
Jayadev Jena stated that Shah Commission’s report has vindicated the stand taken by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) on the multi-crore mining scam with the BJD Government’s patronage.
“As Naveen Patnaik’s role in the mining plunder is now exposed, he must resign as Chief Minister forthwith and should be arrested,” he said, adding the Congress would continue agitation till Patnaik resigns.