Malkangiri, March 25: Normal life was severely affected across Malkangiri district on Tuesday following a 12-hour bandh called by the district Congress over unresolved paddy procurement issues and an acute shortage of cooking gas.

Shops, markets, schools, and colleges remained closed, while vehicular movement came to a standstill in several parts of the district. Congress workers staged protests at multiple locations, intensifying the agitation.

The protest comes amid growing distress among farmers, as thousands of quintals of paddy have been lying unsold in various mandis for over two months. Despite receiving tokens, farmers alleged that the government has failed to lift the produce. Recent Kalbaisakhi rains have further worsened the situation, with waterlogging in mandis leading to sprouting and damage of paddy stocks.

In addition to the procurement crisis, the district is grappling with a severe shortage of LPG. Rural areas are facing irregular supply, while urban residents are forced to queue up for long hours to get gas cylinders.

Alleging administrative apathy despite repeated warnings, the district Congress launched the bandh demanding immediate intervention to resolve both the paddy procurement and cooking gas crisis.