Baripada: Life in Mayurbhanj district was thrown out of gear in view of the six-hour strike called by the Kudumi Sena, an outfit fighting the cause of the Kudumi community, which is spearheading agitations demanding the scheduled tribe tag.

Because of the strike, the public transport was crippled. Commuters suffered as in the morning, neither bus or train was seen running. The agitators staged roadblocks at various locations on the national highway. They burnt tyres and erected barricades. They also squatted on the rail tracks at various stations. Around 150 agitators, including 100 women protesters, were arrested and released later.

Baripada sub-divisional police officer Abhimanyu Nayak said: "About 150 protesters, including 100 women, were taken into custody. They were later released. The road and rail traffic restored normality after the six-hour bandh was over. No violence was reported from any parts of the district."

Shops and business establishments in Baripada town downed their shutters in response to the strike call, while most of the financial institutions remained closed. The telecom and postal service, too, suffered a jolt with the agitators picketing in front of the post and telecom offices.

The Kudumi Sena's state president Jaymuni Mahanta said the agitation was staged in nine tribal-dominated districts across the state, protesting against the apathy of the Centre and the state government.

"The central government has to grant the ST status while the state government is required to send recommendation to this effect. The state government is adopting a dilly-dally attitude towards our genuine cause. We had given one-month time ultimatum. But, the stare government has paid no heed. Hence, we observed the strike on Monday, and in the coming days, it will be intensified," said Mahanta.

"There are about 25 lakh Kudumi across the state and seven lakh in Mayurbhanj alone. From 1956, we have been deprived of the ST tag, and our struggle is 62 years old," he said. "The state government lacks interest in our issue. Even the chief minister is not interested to meet and discus the matter with us. Several attempts to meet him have failed," said Mahanta.

On March 11, the Kudumi Sena had organised an adhikar rally, which was addressed by the Patidar Movement leader from Gujarat, Hardik Patel.