Title - Bandh paralyses bus, rail services across State

JEYPORE: The bandh called by BJD, BJP and Left parties to protest the steep hike in petrol prices disrupted normal life here on Thursday. Political activists hit the streets carrying placards and shouting slogans against the UPA Government. Government and private sector offices, business establishments and industries in Jeypore, Koraput, Damanjodi, Semiliguda, Borrigumma, Kotpad and Boipariguda remained closed. The markets in Jeyore wore a deserted look with shops downing their shutters. Traffic on the national and State highways was paralysed with protestors blocking roads with logs and burning tyres. For the first time in the district, tribals could be seen blocking roads leading to rural Jeypore and Koraput. No private and government vehicles plied between Raipur and Visakhapatnam. Similarly, bus services from Jeypore to Malkangiri, Rayagada and Nabarangpur were cancelled. But train services from Koraput remained normal. Meanwhile, tension gripped Randapali village following a tiff between BJD supporters and passers-by during the bandh. Police� said no arrests were made. JAJPUR: CPM activists staged a rail roko early in the morning and stalled train services at Jajpur-Keonjhar Road. Two passenger trains besides Coromandel Express were stranded. Vehicles went off the roads even as NHs 5, 200 and 215 wore a deserted look.� The nation-wide bandh paralysed work in government establishments, banks, post offices, fuel bunks and public sector undertakings. Police had made elaborate security arrangements across the district. SAMBALPUR: Former State BJP president Suresh Pujari took a rickshaw ride along with his supporters in bicycles protesting the fuel hike here. Besides the BJP and the BJD, the Koshal Kranti Dal also joined the stir and burnt the effigies of Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh at many places. The bandh evoked spontaneous response in Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Balangir, Boudh, Jharsuguda, Nuapada districts. Vehicles remained off the roads. JATNI: Police on Thursday arrested 18 BJP activists along with their leader Sudipta Ray when they tried to barge into the office of the Divisional Railway Manager here.� They had also blocked the Khurda Road rail line�������������������� following which Guwahati Express was stranded at the station. BJD activists led by MLA Bhibuti Balbantray also squatted in front of the DRM’s office during the bandh. Business establishments and private offices remained closed while there was a curfew-like atmosphere on the roads. �PHILBANI: The bandh gave people a reason to escape from the sweltering heat and stay indoor in Kandhamal district. While vehicles stayed off the roads in Phulbani, Balliguda and G.Udaygiri towns, shopkeepers downed their shutters. Although offices and courts remained open, the attendance was very thin.