Bandh and ‘samabesh’ evoke mixed response

Express News Service
Original Trackback URL
PHULBANI: The bandh called by District Kui Coordination Committee protesting non-fulfillment of their demands by the government evoked mixed response.
The coordination committee alleged that out of their 33 demands only a few have been fulfilled so far while the major demands are yet to be addressed.
While vehicles remained off from the roads and business establishments downed their shutters, all government offices, the local court and some educational institutions functioned normally though the attendance was thin.
Coinciding with the bandh, Adivasi Harijan Surakshya Samiti, which was formed three months back by taking members from ST and SC communities to counter Lambodar Kanhar, secretary of Kui Coordination Committee, organised a gathering in the Coronation Ground here where about 500 persons assembled.
Speakers lashed out at Kanhar holding him responsible for the communal riots that scarred the district. Demanding his arrest under National Security Act, the speakers also said he was responsible for the ethnic violence in 1994 and 2007. Later the members of the samiti submitted a 15-point charter of demands addressed to the President and Chief Minister to Kandhamal Collector.
The demands include initiation of stringent action against Kanhar, upgradation of G.Udaygiri block to subdivision and establishment of an agro-based industry in the district among others.
In a press meet, members of the samiti said they have decided to organise peace meetings in Tikabali, G.Udaygiri and Daringibadi to restore normalcy in the strife-torn district. President of the samiti Sashibhusan Mallick urged the district administration not to pay heed to the demands of Kanhar claiming that majority of tribals have left him for his anti-tribal activities.
Keeping in view the bandh called by the Kui Co-ordination Committee and samabesh by Adivasi Harijan Surakshya Samiti, the administration made elaborate security arrangements. CRPF personnel along with local police forces were deployed in all the important places of the town to prevent any untoward incident.
DIG R.P.Koche personally monitored the situation. No violence was reported from anywhere.