Sambalpur, April 7: The town Congress committee today observed a 12-hour strike in protest against desecration of the Mahatma Gandhi's statue that was found broken and lying on the ground at Sambalpur University on Tuesday.

Educational institutions, government offices, banks, shops and other business establishments remained closed because of the bandh.

The town's public transport system was also affected because of the agitation. Even auto-rickshaws were off the road in the town. Only two-wheelers and bicycles were seen on the roads.

The protestors picketed in front of various state and central government offices and shut them. The Congress leaders also staged a dharna in front of the main gate of the university.

"The university authority should have ensured the safety of the statue," said general secretary of the district Congress committee Girija Naik.

"We want a high-level inquiry into the incident," said town Congress president Siba Dalei. "The bandh was peaceful," said inspector in charge of Burla police station Tophan Bag.