KSCC bandh call evokes mixed response in Sambalpur region

Sambalpur (Odisha), Aug 26 (PTI) The 12-hour bandhcall given by Koshal State Coordination Committee (KSCC) forcreation of a separate state today evoked mixed response inthis region. The KSCC has been demanding a separate state with tenWestern Odisha districts. While the bandh call failed to evokeany response in Sambalpur, the shutdown was felt in Bargarhand Jharsuguda districts. Markets, schools and colleges, banks, courts,government offices, shops and business establishments remainedopened in Sambalpur. The vehicular movement was also normal inthe Sambalpur town despite the bandh call. Though KSCC appealed the people to observe bandh onAugust 26 over separate statehood, many organisation ofSambalpur had requested the people not to take part in thebandh. "We oppose the word ‘Koshali’. The language of theregion is known as ‘Sambalpuri’. However, efforts are beingmade to change the name of the language to ‘Koshali’ on thepretext of a separate Koshal state. We do not oppose thedemand of creation of a separate state. But, we cannot acceptthe change of the name of the language," said joint convenerof Hirakhand Samukhya, Deepak Panda. President of the Sambalpur Bar Association, AtanuGhosh also reiterated the same sentiment and said "The peopleof Sambalpur decided to abstain from the bandh. We extendedour support to the people of Sambalpur." However, normal life was paralysed in Bargarh andJharsuguda due to the bandh. Schools and colleges, banks and financialinstitutions, state and central government offices, shops andbusiness establishments remained closed in the two districts.Movement of public transport was also hit due to the agitationin these two districts. The bandh call evoked partial response in Deogarhdistrict. Bandh supporters obstructed movement of vehicles onthe NH-49 in Deogarh for around an hour in the morning. Tenbandh supporters were arrested from the spot. PTI COR AAMDKB