Bhubaneswar: A 12-hour statewide bandh called by the Congress and seven other opposition parties paralysed normal life across Odisha on Thursday, as political unrest escalated following the suicide of a college student in Balasore. The shutdown, which began at 6 AM, was marked by widespread protests, road blockades, and disruption of public transport, particularly in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and several district headquarters. Protesters demanded justice for the 19-year-old Fakir Mohan Autonomous College student, who succumbed to burn injuries after allegedly being harassed by the head of her department. In Bhubaneswar, Congress workers gathered in large numbers near the railway station, attempting to block trains. Police swiftly intervened to prevent disruption to services, leading to brief scuffles. Protesters also lit tyres and obstructed major roads, severely affecting vehicular movement and leaving many commuters stranded. Drone surveillance and heavy police deployment were in place across protest-prone zones. Bus services were either suspended or ran at minimal frequency, leaving passengers—many with luggage—searching in vain for taxis or autos. “I have several bags to carry, but no auto is willing to take me to the station,” said Nilamadhab Panda, a frustrated tourist near Master Canteen Square. In Cuttack, protestors enforced shutdowns of shops, schools, and offices. While essential services were officially exempt, confusion prevailed. Some medicine shops remained open, but others downed shutters. Government buses operated sporadically, and many private vehicles stayed off the roads. Reports from western and southern Odisha district also said normal life was severely hit in those areas. Tension flared in Jagatsinghpur district, where a confrontation between Congress workers and local youths escalated into a physical altercation. The clash, sparked by an attempt to stop the youths from travelling during the bandh, soon turned into a scuffle. A video of the incident circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism from various quarters. Despite these flashpoints, police reported no major incidents of violence till midday. Authorities confirmed that the situation had begun normalise after the mid-day. The bandh was triggered by outrage over the tragic death of the student, who had set herself ablaze last week on her college campus, reportedly after repeated harassment and alleged administrative inaction. The incident has sparked a political storm, with opposition parties demanding a judicial inquiry and action against those responsible. In a counter-offensive, BJP MP from Bhubaneswar, Aparajita Sarangi, defended the state’s response. Addressing a press conference, she stated that the Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had ordered immediate medical assistance for the victim, including possible airlifting. “There was no delay in treatment. The government acted promptly and has assured justice will be delivered,” she said. Sarangi criticised both Congress and the ruling BJD for engaging in what she termed “politics of disruption.” “These back-to-back protests are attempts to grab headlines. It’s unfortunate that political parties are using a tragedy to stay relevant,” she added. The bandh caused severe inconvenience statewide, with reports of students missing exams, patients facing delays in reaching hospitals, and blood donors being blocked en route. In Balasore, a patient from Angul was left stranded at an empty bus stand until locals stepped in to help. On July 12, the deceased girl, second year student of Bachelor of Education (BEd), died by suicide alleging sexual harassment by the head of the department, Sameer Kumar Sahoo. The police has taken arrested Sahoo along with FM Autonomous College principal, Dilip Ghosh, in connection with the case. As Odisha reels from the aftershocks of the Balasore incident, political rhetoric continues to intensify, even as the grieving family and a shocked public await justice.