Normal life was affecetd in the steel city today in an economic blockade by 'Adivasi and Mulavasi Bachao Manch', an outfit protesting the government move to upgrade Rourkela Municipality to a corporation.
Shops and business establishments were shut in several areas following the blockade call and train services were disrupted on the busy Mumbai-Howrah railway line as agitators squatted on the tracks.
There was, however, little impact on road traffic in the city and nearby areas due to the presence of additional platoons of police.
While some short distance trains were cancelled by the railways, the long distance trains had crossed Rourkela before the demonstration began, Railways sources said.
The administration is holding negotiations with the bandh supporters, said K S Chakroverthy, additional district magistrate of Rourkela.
Superintendent of police Anirudha Singh said a close vigil was being kept with over 30-35 platoons (over 1,000 personnel) of police had been deployed and requests have been made for additional forces in case of any eventuality.
Police said some protesters were dispersed near Jalda as they were trying to block the NH 143 there.
George Tirky, the MLA Biramitrapur who is spearheading the agitation movement said the blockade with continue. "We will force the government to drop the plan to give corporation status to Rourkela," he said.
Adivasi and Mulabasi Bachao Manch claimed that the government declaration of including nearby Jghatarang and Jagda gram panchayats and Nabakrishnanagar in Rourkela Municipality was illegal as Sundergarh is a scheduled district and therefore the move was against the constitution and should be stopped.
