12-Hour Bandh over Medical College Demand in Odisha District

Bhadrak: Demanding a medical college and hospital in Bhadark district of the Odisha state, a local representative group, Zilla Unnayan Sangharsh Samiti is currently observing a dawn-to-dusk bandh from 6 am to 6 pm.

According to recent media reports, the bandh observation which started at around 6 am and will continue till 6 pm. The bandh witnessed a complete shutdown of businesses across Bhadrak district headquarters where shops, markets and other business establishments are remaining closed.

However, ambulance and other emergency services were excluded from the bandh purview.

Besides, the Zilla Unnayan Sangharsh Samiti members staged a 'Rail Roko' demonstration at the railway station, disrupting train services which hit the rail badly. The protestors intercepted Bhadrak-Palasa Passenger train for hours by sitting on the tracks.

As claimed by the media reports, this "peaceful" bandh for the establishment of a medical college and hospital in Bhadrak is being supported by various social organisations and different political parties including BJD, BJP and Congress.

Demonstrations, strikes and rallies have been conducted at seven blocks of the district for the past two months, demanding the setting up of a medical college in the district. It has been alleged by the members that even though the Chief Minister has been approached for the medical institution establishment, many times, no heed has been paid.

"Several memoranda have been given to the Chief Minister through the district Collector. Since the government is not considering our demand, we have no other option," a member of the protesting organisation told The Orissa Post.

Moreover, hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on either side of the National Highway-16 in the morning due to the blockade staged by the members of Bhadrak Medical College Sangrami Sena, which also extended its support to the bandh, reports Kalinga TV.

Medical Dialogues had reported in September this year that Medical colleges in Bhadrak district were announced by the Union Health Minister JP Nadda.

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