Thaindian News

Bhubaneswar, Oct 26 (IANS) A shut down called in western Orissa Monday to protest deaths of two students Saturday paralyzed normal life as the train services were curtailed and the vehicular traffic was badly hit, officials said.
Traffic was affected on national highway numbers 6, 42, 200 and state highway number 10.

Many trains were cancelled. Some long-distance trains were running 12 hours behind the schedule as they remained stranded at Sambalpur, Rourkella, Jharasuguda and Brajrajnagar stations, an official said.

Violence erupted in Bolangir town following the death of an engineering student after a police vehicle allegedly hit his motorcycle. Another student also died after he was “hit by police” during a baton charge. Hundreds of students took to the streets and destroyed half a dozen vehicles and ransacked a police station.

Educational institutes, shops and business establishment also remained closed Monday.

Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik said: “I have ordered an inquiry into the incident. Retired high court judge S.K. Mohanty would probe the tragic death of the students.”

Inspector General of Police Y.B. Khurania said: “The ‘bandh’ (shutdown) was peaceful. Police is trying its best to solve the problem with people’s cooperation. There seems to be a communication gap between police and public.”

Meanwhile, the Congress has supported the students’ shutdown call.

Chinmaya Sahu, president of the Congress students’ wing, said: “We have given a list of demands. If the state government fails to fulfil our demands the protest will spread to other parts of the state.”