Bhubaneswar: Life was hit in several parts of the state, especially in the tribal-dominated districts, due to the nationwide strike called in protest against alleged dilution of provisions of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
On March 20, the Supreme Court had banned automatic arrests and registration of criminal cases under the act, triggering widespread outrage from the Dalit community.
Today, in response to the nation-wide strike call, buses remained off road in various parts of the state.
Adivasi Dalit Sena staged a rail roko at Khetrajpur station in Sambalpur.
The Adhikar Surakhya Manch, Adivasi Mulabasi Bancaho Manch and the JMM had extended their support to the nationwide strike.
Members of various Dalit organisations blocked roads near Vani Vihar Square, Jayadev Vihar Square and Acharya Vihar Square in Bhubaneswar.
in Rourkela on Monday. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das
Shops, business establishments, banks, offices and educational institutions remained closed anticipating violence. However, the strike remained by and large peaceful.
The impact of the strike was felt the most in the tribal-dominated Sundargarh district. Independent MLA, now with JMM, George Tirky said: "We honour the Supreme Court but we are protesting against the recent verdict."
Semester examinations of Biju Patnaik University of Technology were cancelled in view of the strike.
Operations at the Rourkela Steel Plant was normal.
In Balangir district, all government and private offices, educational institutions, banks and insurance offices remained closed.
With inputs from Rajesh Mohanty in Rourkela, Sudeep Guru in Balangir, Subhas Panigrahi in Sambalpur and Sibdas Kundu in Baripada
