Bandh disrupts normal life in Rayagada town

Normal life was disrupted in Odisha's Rayagada town today during dawn-to-dusk bandh called by Congress demanding a probe by CBI to investigate the death of District Welfare Officer (DWO).
Shops, business establishments, baks and educational institutions remained closed during the 12-hour shut-down as Congress workers sought a CBI probe into the death of DWO Dhaneswar Prusty, whose body was found hanging in his office on February 17.
Vehicular movement was also affected in this district headquarter town as Congress workers staged a road blockade at Kapilash Chhak, Tumbiguda Chhak and Koraput Chhak saying crime branch probe announced by the state government into the incident was meaningless and aimed to protect the culprits.

The demonstrators also tried to barge into the district collector's office. They also tried to pelt eggs at the residential office of the collector, police said.
The bandh passed off peacefully as elaborate security arrangements had been made with deployment of adequate police force to prevent any untoward incident, police said.
The protesters also demanded arrest of the district Collector and Project Director, ITDA in connection with the death of the DWO Dhaneswar Prusty.
Meanwhile, district BJP unit continued a dharna led by its president Tapan Topedar near the office of the district Superintendent of Police since yesterday demanding the arrest of district collector and PD, ITDA.