Bhubaneswar, Oct 7: The INDIA bloc has called for a 12-hour Odisha bandh on October 8, from 6 am to 6 pm, over four key demands. The announcement was made at a press conference by leaders of the alliance.

The bandh organisers have appealed for the suspension of train and bus services as well as other government and private vehicles during the protest. However, essential services, including hospitals, ambulances and medical stores, will remain exempted from the bandh.

The INDIA bloc leaders also said special care would be taken to ensure that students appearing for Class 8 and Class 9 examinations do not face any inconvenience due to the shutdown.

CPI Odisha state secretary Prashant Mishra said the bandh was not merely a fight for the interests of Odisha but also a movement to protect the Constitution and democracy.

He appealed to the people of Odisha, social organisations, intellectuals, lawyers and other democratic forces who support the state and believe in safeguarding constitutional and democratic values to join the protest.

The INDIA bloc has said the bandh will be observed in a completely peaceful and non-violent manner. Alliance leaders claimed that the call has received widespread public support across several districts of the state and expressed confidence that the Odisha bandh on October 8 would be successful.