Kudumi Sena Begins Observing 6-Hour Bandh In Mayurbhanj

Baripada: Life came to a standstill across the Mayurbhanj district on Tuesday following a 6-hour bandh call given by the Kudumi Sena over the demand for Scheduled Tribe status for the Kudumi Community.

While the bandh was observed in an overall peaceful manner, Sena’s members staged a blockade on NH-18 and 49 by bringing down the traffic flow to a grinding halt in the morning.

Shops, other business establishments and private offices along with courts remained closed during the bandh. Bus services were badly affected due to the protest as activists squatted on roads at several key locations.

The highest impact of the bandh was felt in places like Udala, Karanjia, Betanati, Saraskana and Rairangpur sub-divisions.

Hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on both sides of the highway for hours due to the blockade. While the Constitution presently covers the community under the Backward Class category, the Kudumis have, for many decades, claimed tribal status.