The 24-hour bandh call, given by Maoists in four districts of the State, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Boudh and Nayagarh, to protest the killing of four Maoists in a police encounter on May 13, failed to have any impact on Thursday.
The bandh witnessed partial closure of the shops and other business establishments and had a limited impact on the vehicular communications.
Members of the Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of CPI (Maoist) blocked the Pokharibandha and Baliguda-landagaon route by felling tree branches during the bandh observation and disrupted vehicular movement to areas like Daringbadi, Brahmanigaon, Srirampur, Belghar, Tumudibandha areas in Kandhamal district.
Similarly, Maoists also put up posters at several places in three other districts where the bandh was being observed and appealed people to join them overwhelmingly in protest of the killing of rebels at Sudukumpa forest near Golanki in Kandhamal.
The police had beefed up security to thwart any untoward incidents in these districts. Additional forces were deployed in the Maoist dominated areas and combing operations were intensified, reports said. There are no reports of violence by the Red rebels so far, informed police sources.
Notably, the Maoists on Wednesday had blocked the Baliguda-Kantamala road near Sudra village in the Balliguda area of Kandhamal district by felling trees on the road disrupting vehicular communication for hours.
Posters found from the spot bearing the name of KKBN Division of CPI(Maoist) threatened the locals to observe a 24-hour Kandhamal Bandh today or face consequences.