Bhubaneswar, July 17: A 12-hour statewide bandh called by eight opposition parties, including the Congress, severely disrupted normal life across Odisha on Thursday. The bandh, called to demand justice for Soumyashree Bisi—a student who died after self-immolation following alleged harassment—saw widespread protests, road blockades, and rail roko demonstrations.

In the capital city Bhubaneswar, hundreds of Congress workers blocked NH-16 at Palasuni, leaving vehicles stranded for hours. Similar scenes unfolded in Jajpur (Jaraka Chhak), Sundargarh, and Koraput where highways were blocked, halting vehicular movement. In Sambalpur, women Congress activists staged a rail roko at the railway station, disrupting train schedules.

Rail tracks and national highways were blocked in key locations such as Balasore, Bhadrak, and Cuttack, delaying several express and passenger trains and affecting hundreds of commuters. Markets, shops, and educational institutions remained closed in towns like Jaleswar, Soro, Kamakhyanagar, and parts of Mayurbhanj district. However, essential services like hospitals, pharmacies, and ambulances operated normally.

The Congress intensified its demand for the resignation of the Education Minister, local MLA, and MP, holding them responsible for failing to protect the student and her family.

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