Normal life was paralysed in different parts of the state sans Bhubaneswar due to the dawn to dusk hartaal call given by the state unit of Congress, which demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the basis of the Shah Commission report indicting the government in the multi-crore mining scam.
Worst hit of the bandh were the commuters who were left stranded at bus stops as both public and private transport services came to a grinding halt. Similarly, the movement of trains were badly hit as the Congress leaders squatted on the railway lines at difference places.
Train and bus services were affected in most urban areas, including in Sambalpur, Rourkela, Angul, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Bolangir, Bargarh and undivided Koraput district.
Shop, business establishments, banks and education institutions also remained closed.
Security personnel were deployed in strength to avoid any untoward instances.
The Congress workers staged token demonstration at the state capital in view of the Wednesday's polls to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).
"People have shown wholehearted support for our call. The Chief Minister must resign and face the arrest," said Narsingh Mishra, senior Congress leader.
"Our allegations on mining scam has been substantiated by the Shah Commission report," he added.
Banking operations in Bhubaneswar was normal as all the banks remained open here.
"The customers' presence at the banks in other locations except Bhubaneswar were thin. The banking services were especially hit in Berhampur as most of the banks were shut due to daylong stir," said Bibekananda Das, President, SBI officers association (Bhubaneswar circle).
"Business in all parts of the state barring the capital city was hit. We are yet to arrive at the loss figure," said Sudhakar Panda, secretary, Odisha Byabasayi Mahasangha.
It may be noted, after parts of the report of the Justice M B Shah Commission, probing illegal mining activities in many states including Odisha, was leaked in the media, the state Congress unit has been clamouring for the resignation and arrest of the chief minister alleging complicity of the government in the scam
"The Congress party is trying to create law and order problem out of frustration after being routed in the recently held urban polls," said Surynarayan Patro, vice president, Biju Janata Dal.
It was the duty of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), a government of India organisation, to check the illegal mining operation", he said and added that the reason for strike will never be accepted by the people of Odisha.
Meanwhile, BJD has petitioned the State Election Commission accusing the Opposition party of violation of the model code conduct on the eve of the urban body polls in Bhubaneswar.
