Odisha Congress went on strike across the state from 6 am to 12 noon to demand the resignation of Minister of State for Home Divya Shankar Mishra over his alleged links with Gobind Sahu, the main accused in the sensational murder of Kalahandi school teacher Mamita. Mehr.
The party had earlier called for a complete bandh across the state. However, the Orissa High Court on Thursday ruled that only peaceful strike can be conducted under proper democratic process.
On the directions of the High Court, members of the Congress staged peaceful demonstrations in many parts of the state. However, normal life remained unaffected during the six-hour bandh as most shops and business establishments remained open in the state, including in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
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“The strike is definitely a success as the markets and shops have been kept closed voluntarily by the people. We are not stopping the movement of vehicles instead of requesting people not to step out of their homes. Party members are also protesting peacefully,” said former Odisha Congress president Jaydev Jena, who was seen protesting peacefully at the master canteen in the capital city. “The CM has defamed himself by sharing the stage with tainted minister Divya Shankar Mishra. We will fight till Mamita and her family get justice,” said Jaydev Jena. “We are having a peaceful shutdown. Unless Divya Shankar Mishra is ousted, all wings of Congress will take to the streets and launch a massive agitation,” warned an agitating party member.
In other parts of the state like major cities, Cuttack, Baleshwar, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Berhampur, Jaipur, Khurda, and all district headquarters, Congress activities led to peaceful demonstrations. Senior Congress leader Suresh Routre said, “We have got the support of around 80 per cent of the state’s population. The government has gone blind and I think CM Naveen is unable to understand Odia due to which no action has been taken against the minister.” Instead, he is allowing rapists, murderers and criminals to sit with him on a public platform.”
Odisha Congress working president Chiranjeeb Biswal said at a press meet after the end of the 6-hour strike that as per the order of the High Court, the bandh was observed peacefully in Odisha. But this is not the end of our fight to get justice for Mamata. We will not sit idle until minister Divya Shankar is sacked. Chiranjeeb Biswal said that the Odisha State Congress approached the Odisha High Court if needed.
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