Odisha bandh: Student dies after self-immolation over harassment; protests break out, shops shut, roads blocked

NEW DELHI: Several opposition parties in Odisha observed a state-wide bandh on Thursday to protest against the death of a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, who died after attempting self-immolation.Shops closed and transport services were affected in various regions, including Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj. The markets in Bhadrak remained non-operational with disrupted public transport.The protest resulted in substantial traffic congestion on the Chennai-Kolkata Highway, with numerous vehicles stranded. Bus operations were affected throughout various regions of the state.The Congress, alongside other opposition groups including the All India Forward Bloc, organised the bandh.

They held the state government accountable for not addressing the student's appeals for assistance.The demonstrators sought a thorough investigation and requested enhanced security measures for women's safety in the state.Previously, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had organised a 'Balasore Bandh' to protest against the Odisha government. BJD leader and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the state government and police regarding the alleged force used against BJD protesters involved in the case.

On Tuesday, eight opposition parties, including Congress, collectively announced an 'Odisha Bandh' on July 17, seeking the State Higher Education Minister's resignation and a judicial inquiry into the incident.The student had reportedly experienced continuous sexual harassment from the Head of Department (HoD) at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore. Despite submitting a formal complaint and repeatedly requesting assistance from the college principal, her grievances remained unattended, resulting in her self-immolation on campus last Saturday.She received initial treatment at Balasore district hospital before being transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she succumbed to her injuries on Monday, as confirmed by hospital officials.Subsequently, authorities arrested the college's HoD, Samira Kumar Sahu, and Principal, Dilip Ghose, in relation to the incident.