Normal life was today affected due to a 12-hour bandh called by the opposition Congress in the tribal dominated Nabarangpur district.
The bandh was observed as a mark of protest against arrest of 18 Congress leaders including PCC vice-president and former MP Pradeep Majhi.
The Congress leaders were arrested on charge of attacking some government offices at Raighar on June 25, while demanding settlement of forest land in favour of tribals as per the provision of the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
While picketing during the bandh, angry Congress activists hurled eggs at the official residence of Nabarangpur District Collector.
A clash ensued between Congress activists and the police, which tried to prevent the agitators.
In retaliation, the Congress workers allegedly threw eggs on police vehicles kept near the Collector's residence.
Similar act was also repeated by party workers at the office of the Divisional Forest Officer. They too threw eggs targeting the DFO office.
All business establishments, banks and other private institutions remained closed and public transport remained off the road in the district headquarter town of Nabarangpur, Umerkote, Dabugam, Papadahandi, Raighar, Jharigam, Chandahandi, Kosagumuda, Tentulikhunti.
A report said Majhi and others have launched hunger strike inside the jail. While doctors have advised Majhi to take food immediately, three of his associates were admitted to the hospital as their blood pressure fell, doctors said.
A state Congress delegation led by PCC president Prasad Harichandan, AICC secretary Bhakta Charan Das and PCC secretary Davasis Patnaik along with legislators Tara Prasad Bahinipatri, Chandra Sekhar Majhi, Bhujabal Majhi, Krushna Sagaria and Kailash Kulesikka visited the sub-jail at Umerkote and met Majhi and other leaders today.
