12-hr bandh in Mayurbhanj demanding a medical college

Normal life was affected here today due to a dawn to dusk bandh in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district protesting against the BJD governemnt's apathy towards establishment of a state run medical college at the district headquarter town of Baripada.
The call given by the District Bar Association was supported by different political parties like Congress, BJP, JMM and other organisations. Though the state government has announced to set up a medical college here, no steps are so far taken to fulfil the demand, the agitating lawyers said.
Besides stopping vehicular traffic in remote areas of the district, the agitators blocked two national highways (NH-18 and NH-49) passing through the district in protest. The running of a DMU train between Balasore and Bangirposi was also halted due to agitation.

In Baripada, all educational institutions, banks, central government and state government offices, insurance and shops remained closed for the day in support of the demand, said Mayurbhanj District Bar Association president Pradip Rath.