VHP band brings normal life to standstill in Orissa

Bhubaneswar ( Orissa) :A 12-hour bandh sponsored by Vishwa Hindu Parisad ( VHP) on Monady brought normal life to a standstill in the state. The bandh has called to protest against the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. Hundreds of VHP activists and bandh supporters have started blocking all National Highways going through the State since morning bringing vehicular traffic to a halt. Smilarly the train services have also been badly affected due to the bandh as angry VHP workers squatting on rail tracks in many places in Orissa. Acording to the Railway sources neither passenger nor goods trains were allowed to move from stations. Shops and business establishments remained closed across the state while many transport services were cancelled in support of the bandh. Initial reports said the strike was total in interior districts and most of the major roads wore deserted look. Thousands of protesters staged demonstrations and burnt tyres in several villages, towns and on national highways. Almost all shops and petrol pumps remained closed. On account of today’s bandh Orissa Govt on Sunday ordered to close down all schools and colleges in the State. Even as curfew had been imposed in three towns in Kandhamal, reports of violence coming in from the district since morning. Seurity forces have been put on high alert to avoid any untoward incident during the bandh. (odishatoday)