Vehicles stranded on the NH-5 near Cuttack because of roadblock by block grant teachers. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Nov. 5: Star cricketers R. Ashwin, Murali Vijay, S. Badrinath, Lakshmipathy Balaji and Baripada resident Lalita Biswal shared a similar fate here today.

All of them were stuck on the road as block grant teachers held up traffic at Manguli Chhak for a few hours.

Over 1,500 block grant teachers from six districts, including Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Dhenkanal and Angul, staged a road blockade at Manguli Chhak from 9.30 am to demand abolition of block grant system and introduction of 100 per cent grant-in-aid at par with aided educational institutions in the state.

The Tamil Nadu Ranji players, including the star quartet, were in the city to play a Ranji league match against Odisha.

On their way to Driems College ground today, the players were stuck on the road for an hour because of the agitation by the teachers.

But for Biswal, who was stranded on the National Highway No. 5 for over two hours because of the roadblock, the pain was far greater.

The 45-year-old woman had to come to meet her ailing mother at Choudwar. The roadblock forced Biswal to walk over 4km before she could get an autorickshaw to reach her destination.

“I had reached Manguli toll gate around 10am by bus and it was difficult for us to advance further because of the traffic jam. Though I had decided to cross Manguli chhak by foot and hire an autorickshaw, it was also not possible,” said Biswal.

Many commuters also faced problems and were stranded on NH-5 because of the roadblock.

Road communication between Cuttack-Jajpur, Balasore, Choudwar, Dhenkanal, Angul and Sambalpur via Manguli Chhak was cut-off as hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the NH-5.

However, the blockade was lifted around noon after nearly 50 teachers were taken into preventive custody.

“The teachers have submitted a memorandum to the Cuttack district additional magistrate, who has assured to place their demands before the government,” said additional superintendent of police (Cuttack rural) B.N. Das.

Block Grant Secondary School Teachers and Employees’ Association president Prasanta Kumar Mohapatra said they blocked the road as the state government had failed to address their grievances.

The teachers have threatened to ceasework from November 15 to press for their demands.