Baripada (Odisha) March 20 Normal life was disrupted in the Rairangpur area of Odisha on Friday due to a bandh called by the Mayurbhanj Adivasi Ekata Manch (Tribal Unity Forum) in protest against the arrest of 34 tribal people following a clash with police personnel during a protest on March 13.
Several political parties, including the BJD and tribal organizations, supported the bandh. Normal life was affected in the Bishoi, Rairangpur, Bahalda, and Tiring areas of the Rairangpur sub-division in the tribal-populated district, the police said.
Shops, markets, transport services, offices, educational institutions, and mining operations remained closed during the shutdown.
Demanding the immediate release of the arrested individuals, the Mayurbhanj Adivasi Ekata Manch had called for a two-day bandh starting Friday morning. However, after receiving a written assurance from the police administration, they called off the strike this evening, said additional superintendent of police Jadunath Jena.
According to the police, the incident originated from an alleged misconduct by a minor tribal girl at the Tiring police station area in the Bahalda block.
Protesting the incident, villagers in the area staged a protest, blocking NH-220 near Bahalda on March 13. However, the protest turned violent when police personnel attempted to disperse the protesters from blocking the NH, the police said.
In retaliation, the agitated villagers allegedly attacked the police personnel, leaving at least 12 officers injured. In connection with the case, the police had arrested 34 protesters, they said.
"Our 34 innocent tribal people were arrested during a peaceful protest on March 13. Therefore, we called for a bandh until March 22 morning. As the additional SP has given a written assurance that they will take all steps for the release of the arrested tribal people on Saturday, we have decided to call off the strike," said Jitendra Hansda, the convenor of the Mayurbhanj Adivasi Ekata Manch.
He said that they will wait until Saturday afternoon to see whether the police keep their assurance or not. Otherwise, future courses of action will be taken, Hansda warned.