Normal life was thrown out of gear in Rourkela on Wednesday due to a dawn-to-dusk bandh called by Sundargarh Adivasi Mulabasi Bachao Sangha (SAMBS) protesting against the State Government’s decision to include several peripheral tribal villages in the proposed Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC). The protestors carrying sticks resorted to picketing and blocked roads at several places here since Wednesday morning. The protestors did not allow persons on vehicles to cross major points.
All Government establishments, including banks, were forced to close down as the agitators picketed in front of the offices. Commercial establishments, including petrol pumps, remained shut since morning causing great inconvenience to the people. Protesters blocked roads and forced shops to down their shutters at Panposh bridge, plant site area and IDC, Kalunga area.
The protestors came in a procession and gathered at Hanuman Batika square, waved flags and shouted “Gali Gali Mein Shor Hai, Naveen Patnaik Chor Hai.” In steel township area, also all shops remained closed. The employees of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) went to their duty before 6 am in morning. Bus services were stopped. Railway services, however, were not affected by the bandh and all trains were running as usual. Emergency services like ambulances were exempted from the bandh.
Biramitrapur Independent MlA George Tirkey said the spontaneous involvement of thousands of tribals in the bandh indicated how much they are against the decision of the Government. He further said the dharna which has been continuing in front of the RMC office from March 7 would continue.