No Autos to Ply Tomorrow; Capital Auto Drivers’ Association Backs Odisha Bandh
Bhubaneswar: No autorickshaws will ply across Odisha on Wednesday as the Capital Auto Drivers’ Association has decided to support the 12-hour Odisha bandh called by the INDIA bloc.
The association has announced that both online and offline auto services will remain suspended from 6 am to 6 pm. A meeting of the association was held on Tuesday, where the decision was taken. Auto drivers have also been urged to join demonstrations in their respective areas.
The INDIA bloc has called for a 12-hour Odisha bandh from 6 am to 6 pm on October 8, urging people to support the shutdown. The alliance has appealed for the suspension of trains, buses and other public and private transport services during the bandh.
However, hospitals, ambulances, medical stores and other emergency services will remain exempt from the shutdown. The organisers have also said arrangements will be made to ensure that students appearing for Class 8 and 9 examinations do not face inconvenience.
Four Key Demands
The INDIA bloc said the bandh has been called over four major demands. These include action against and removal of Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR issue, withdrawal of amendments to the MMDR Act, which the alliance alleges could lead to exploitation of Odisha’s mineral resources, adequate assistance and rehabilitation for flood-affected people, and the resignation of the concerned minister over alleged irregularities in primary education textbooks and corruption in the education system.
CPI Odisha state secretary Prashant Mishra said the bandh was not only about Odisha’s interests but also a fight to protect the Constitution and democracy.
He appealed to people, social organisations, intellectuals, lawyers and democratic forces who support Odisha and the protection of constitutional values to participate in the bandh.
The INDIA bloc has maintained that the shutdown will be observed peacefully and without violence and claimed that it has received support from various districts across the state. Leaders expressed confidence that the October 8 Odisha bandh would be successful.
