Baripada, Ap 18: In a tragic incident at the Kakabandh Ashram School in Rasgobindpur block, a female student died after consuming contaminated food, while over 150 others fell ill. In response, the BJD has called for a 12-hour bandh in Mayurbhanj today. The Congress party has expressed its support for the bandh.

Yesterday evening, BJD district president and former minister Sudam Marandi, along with former speaker Sananda Marandi, discussed the situation and extended their support. Congress workers across the district are expected to join the strike.

The demand from both parties includes ensuring that no such incident occurs again in all residential educational institutions in Mayurbhanj run by the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Minorities Welfare Department. They also call for exemplary action against the responsible officials, a judicial investigation into the incident, and compensation of ₹50 lakh for the deceased student’s family. Additionally, the parties demand a government job for one of the student’s parents.

Given the common ground between the two parties on these issues, both BJD and Congress leaders have stated that they will jointly fight against the “double-engine” government to ensure justice and accountability.