Bhubaneswar, Sept 30: Odisha is set to witness two statewide bandh calls in the coming days, with the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan announcing a shutdown on September 30 and the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) calling for a 12-hour bandh on October 8.
The Navnirman Krushak Sangathan has called the September 30 bandh over a six-point charter of demands. Founder of the Navnirman Yuva Chhatra Sangathan and Krushak Sangathan, Akshaya Kumar, alleged that as many as 1,678 errors have been identified in textbooks for students from Class I to VIII.
Akshaya questioned why action had not been taken against School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, despite Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi allegedly acknowledging the issue. He demanded that the minister either resign or be removed by the Chief Minister, warning that the organisation would intensify its agitation through protests.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee has announced a 12-hour statewide bandh on October 8. The party is opposing the amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and is also demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond.
OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das has appealed to all constituents of the INDIA bloc to participate in and support the protest. The Congress has argued that the amendments to the mining law could adversely affect Odisha’s interests and revenue, and has demanded their immediate withdrawal.
During the bandh, shops, markets, commercial establishments, private offices and public transport services, including buses, are expected to remain closed. However, essential services such as hospitals, ambulances, pharmacies, fire services and other emergency services will remain operational.
The state Home Department has asked district collectors to remain vigilant, particularly over the possibility of disruption to emergency services, and to take necessary measures to maintain public order and ensure the uninterrupted functioning of essential services.
