Puri, February 21: Farmers’ outfit, Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) in Odisha has called for a 12-hour bandh in the state on Thursday demanding a proper minimum support price (MSP) on paddy pension for the farmers. The bandh has evoked mix response in the state. As a mark of protest, members of the NNKS blocked the Patia-Nandankanan road and were seen burning tyres, causing inconvenience to people. However, Police reached the spot and took them into custody. Meanwhile, youth activists of the NNKS who tried to gherao the State Secretariat, were also taken to police custody.

Protestors staged a road blockade in Keonjhar responding to the Bandh. Major commercial establishments remain shut, while small vendors were seen continuing their business. The vehicular movement also remains unaffected in most parts of the city.  In the wake of the 12-hour bandh across the state, protester took to streets waving flags and shouting slogans against the government for not fulfilling the long-pending demands of the farmers.  Farmers' Outfit NNKS Calls 12-Hour Statewide Shutdown; Congress, BJP Extend Support.

Here's the video:

Normal life has been affected in several parts of the State due to the bandh. In Bhubaneswar, commuters were inconvenienced as petrol pumps remained shut in view of the dawn-to-dusk bandh. Reports inform that effect of the protest was also seen in Bhadrak and Jagatsinghpur districts of Osidha. In the wake of the situation, security has been beefed up in the state where nearly 30 platoons of police force deployed in Bhubaneswar and 15 platoons of police force deployed in Cuttack to avoid any untoward incident during bandh.

The NNKS has called for a protest to press for the demands including proper minimum support price (MSP) on paddy and other agricultural produces, pension and prestige for the farmers. While the NNKS adamant with going ahead with the strike, the Odisha government said it would take action as per law. The bandh has been called to protest the apathy of the BJD government towards the farming community. The strike comes just a few months ahead of the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. The organisation has received support from both the Opposition parties the Congress and the BJP.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 21, 2019 10:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).