Berhampur, July 18: Rumour about Kodala violence triggered a 12-hour bandh paralysing normal life at Buguda, about 100-km from here.

Supporters of Buguda Surakshya Manch organised a rally in front of the tehsildar’s office at Buguda and raised slogans against a particular community which they accused of instigating violence in Kodala.

All the shops and other commercial establishments downed their shutters. Vehicular traffic was also completely paralysed. The Buguda Surakshya Manch called for the strike after a rumour spread that people belonging to a particular community, who are taking shelter at the Kodala Kalyan Mandap, would be shifted to Buguda.

“We would never allow them to stay at Buguda,” supporters of the association said.

Security at the kalyan mandap, where the community people of Marathi Sahi are now taking shelter, have been further tightened. An additional superintendent of police has been put on charge of security of the kalyan mandap. The Gurkha police is assisting him. Earlier, Orissa State Armed Police (OSAP) was on duty at the kalyan mandap.

The situation in Kodala has improved with about sixty per cent of the shops opening there today. Vegetable shops, which were also closed since July 13, opened after four days. But the prices of the vegetables have soared. The rate of brinjal, which was Rs14 per kilo prior to the violence, has now touched Rs 20. Four schools, including a girls’ high school and three upper-primary schools, which were closed since July 14, were also opened on July 18. The attendance of students in the schools was, however, thin.