Balasore, July 16: Normal life in Balasore district was affected due to the ongoing ‘Balasore Bandh’ call given by BJD, the main opposition force in the State demanding justice for the girl student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, who died after a self-immolation bid over alleged sexual harassment.
Markets were shut, schools and colleges were closed, and vehicles largely remained off the roads as the bandh was underway. The bandh began at 6 AM and would continue till 2 PM.
The 20-year-old second-year B.Ed student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College died at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar on Monday night after fighting for her life for three days following a self-immolation attempt.
For the context, the victim girl had set herself on fire in front of the Principal’s office on July 12, over alleged inaction against Samira Kumar Sahoo, an Assistant Professor of the college, who allegedly sexually harassed her.
Armed with party flags and raising slogans against the BJP Governemnt, hundreds of BJD members and leaders hits the streets and blocked major roads of the district by burning tyres.
The traffic on the national highway passing through the district is also being regulated in view of the protests.
Apart from Balasore town, BJD workers were holding demonstrations in places like Jaleswar, Basta, Soro, Baliapal and Bhograi since morning.
The protestors were also demanding the resignation of Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, accusing them of failing to provide justice to the girl student.
Meanwhile, the Principal Dillip Ghsoe and the accused Assistant Professor Smaira Kumar Sahoo have been arrested by the police.
