As per a Bandh call by the Pallahara Bar Association, the entire Pallahara sub division remained shut for 12 hours from 6 am to 6 pm on Tuesday protesting against the proposed jail displacement issue.
The people of different political organisations participated in the strike. While vehicular traffic came to a grinding halt in Pallahara town and adjoining places, NH149 and NH 49 wore a deserted look.
All Government and private schools, offices and markets were closed. Bus passengers remained stranded in many places. The Khamar market was closed by the Banika Sangha. BJD, BJP, and Congress leaders along with lawyers were present in the strike. They urged the State Government to roll back the jail displacement order.
“The Pallahara jail was established in 1925 before the Independence. There is no justification of shifting it to elsewhere. Earlier, a Tussar Silk Co- Operative office and Government ITI have been shifted from Pallahara stoking resentmentment among the locals,” said a lawyer.
The agitators also demanded establishment of Civil Judge Senior Division Court in Pallahara. Presently, the people of Pallahara are going to Talcher for the purpose.