Bhubaneswar, August 21: The day-long Bharat bandh called by some Dalit and Adivasi groups to protest against the Supreme Court's recent verdict on the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) was partially affected rail and road communications in Odisha on Wednesday.
In Bhubaneswar, protestors halted the Visakha Express and threatened to intensify their actions if the Centre did not file a review petition.
Transport services were disrupted in the western districts, and demonstrations at Station Square affected bus services temporarily. National Highway-16 near Hanspal was blocked earlier in the day but was later cleared by the police.
The protestors halted Sambalpur-Puri and Sambalpur-Rayagada trains at Khetrajpur railway station, while the bus stand in Balangir wore a deserted look as protectors held demonstrations in various parts of the district.
Despite these disruptions, business activities in Bhubaneswar remained largely unaffected, with government offices, banks, and schools operating as usual.
The protests were mostly peaceful, with no major incidents reported.
