Normal life in Odisha’s Malkangiri district came to a standstill on Wednesday following a 12-hour bandh called by the Congress party on several critical grievances, most notably significant delays in paddy procurement and persistent constraints in the supply of LPG.
The shutdown, which began at 6 am, led to the closure of commercial establishments, educational institutions, and various government offices.
Vehicular movement across the southern Odisha district was severely disrupted as Congress activists staged road blockades at key junctions and along a major state highway. Despite the widespread disruption to transportation, local police stated that emergency services were allowed to operate without interference.
A primary demand of the Congress members is the immediate resumption of paddy procurement from farmers at local mandis.
“As the government has almost stopped procuring paddy from the farmers, they are facing hardship at the mandis,” Congress leader Gobind Patra said.
Due to unseasonal rainfall, paddy with the farmers have got damaged. So, the government should provide them with compensation, he said.
Another Congress leader, Padma Ranjan Pangi, highlighted a brewing energy crisis in the district. He pointed out that residents are struggling with acute shortages of LPG cylinders, as well as petrol and diesel.
The government should ensure an adequate supply of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders, he said.
“If the government fails to procure the paddy from farmers by this month’s end, we will stage a protest before the office of the district collector here,” a protesting Congress leader said.
