Bhubaneswar police have warned that anyone who forcibly shuts shops, blocks roads or disrupts essential services during the 12-hour Odisha bandh will face criminal action, as 18 platoons of security personnel have been deployed across the capital.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Saravana Vivek M said peaceful and lawful demonstrations would be permitted, but attempts to enforce the bandh through coercion would not be allowed. “Protests must remain peaceful and within the boundaries of the law. If anyone tries to enforce the bandh through sheer force, police will take strict legal action,” he said, according to Pragativadi.
The DCP said the police focus was on maintaining public convenience and ensuring that essential services remained operational during the statewide agitation called by the India Bloc. The warning comes as protesters have reportedly taken part in picketing, rail blockades and road blockades at various locations.
Security personnel have been positioned at key checkpoints, major intersections, government offices, railway stations, bus terminals, educational institutions and busy marketplaces across Bhubaneswar. Senior police officials are monitoring patrols and crowd-management arrangements, with PCR vans, Quick Response Teams and reserve forces supporting the deployment.
The bandh has been called over several political demands, including withdrawal of amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, the resignation of the Mass Education Minister and the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner. The supplied report does not provide details of the proposed amendments or the political parties’ specific grounds for each demand.
State authorities have also alerted District Collectors and District Magistrates to protect public peace and prevent incidents during the agitation. Administrative arrangements have been made to protect national highways, railway networks and critical emergency services from major disruption, the report said.
For residents, the immediate impact is expected to centre on road movement, public transport access, market operations and access to government and educational institutions. Police have advised citizens to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel and follow updates from the police control room, which is monitoring the situation through the day.
The Bhubaneswar police warning places the bandh within the legal distinction between peaceful protest and forced closure or obstruction. Authorities have not indicated in the supplied report how many arrests or criminal cases, if any, had been registered at the time of publication. Security and crowd-management operations will continue across the city during the day-long agitation.
