Protests mark bandh

=============================================================
This article has been sent to you by koraputonline ( koraputonline@gmail.com )
=============================================================
Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2009/11/29/stories/2009112951920300.htm)
Other States
-
Orissa
  

Protests mark bandh


Staff Reporter

It is against killing of two CMAS activists in police firing

Normal life not affected by bandhVehicular traffic hit at some places


Activists of several organisations staging a protest against Narayanpatna firing in Berhampur on Saturday.


BERHAMPUR: The dawn to dusk bandh call in South Orissa on Saturday did not hamper the day-to-day life in a big way. No untoward incident was reported.
The bandh call was given by CPI-ML (New Democracy), CPI-ML (Liberation), Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS), Orissa Forest Mazdoor Union (OFMU) and Malkangiri Adivasi Sangh (MAS). It was in protest against the police firing at Narayanpatna in Koraput district, which killed two activists of the CMAS. Over the same issue, other organisations observed protest day in different parts of the State. In Berhampur, activists of the CPI-ML (New Democracy), OFMU and some other social activists took out a protest march. They burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Old Bus Stand square. Business and official work was not affected in the city. Protesters came out and blocked roads for some time near Shergarh, Taptapani, Badagada and Dharakote in Ganjam district for sometime in the morning.
Vehicular traffic was affected in Gajapati district. Due to road blockades, no passenger vehicle could travel out from Parlakhemundi to any other place. A protest march was taken out at Parlakhemundi. It was led by tribal leaders Buddha Gamang and Jacob Raita. Protesters blocked roads at Gosani, Kasinagar, Panchamail, Gumma, Adaba and Mohana.
Two protesters involved in blocking the traffic were arrested at Parlakhmeundi. The markets remained closed at Adaba and Mohana.
Sixty activists involved in road blockade were arrested in Rayagada town. In Rayagada district, reports of road blockade came from Gunupur, Ramnaguda, Bisamkatak, Padmapur and Muniguda areas. The situation returned to normal by afternoon.
In Kandhamal district, the Daringbadi-Brahmanigaon Road and the Baliguda-Bhanjangar Road were blocked by protesters. The NH-217 was also blocked near Daringbadi. Protest demonstrations were held at K. Nuagaon and Brahmanigaon.
The bandh had no major impact in Koraput district, except for some demonstration in the Laxmipur area. Security had been tightened in the district. In Malkangiri district, activists of the MAS blocked the road and held a protest demonstration at Mathili.

Demands
Through this bandh, the organisations tried to highlight their major demands, which include legal action against erring police officials involved in firing on CMAS activists, removal of armed security forces from Narayanpatna block and end to alleged indiscriminate arrests in the area.


Copyright: 1995 - 2006 The Hindu
Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly
prohibited without the consent of The Hindu