JMM-sponspored Mayurbhanj bandh: Hundreds of vehicles stranded in Bahragoda

Jamshedpur: A day-long strike by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, adjacent to Bahragoda block area of East Singhbhum district, has led to a 10-km-long queue of vehicles from Jamsola to Bahragoda. Bandh supporters have crossed the Jamsola bridge and blocked NH 49 since 12.00 pm today resulting in a long queue of vehicles.
Long-distance drivers are facing a lot of problems due to the impact of the ban. At the same time, passengers going from Jharkhand to West Bengal Gopiballavpur and various places in Odisha are facing problems.
According to reports, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has raised fifteen issues such as increase in old-age pension, second official language status to Santali language in Odisha, implementation of Sarna Dharma Code, and siege of Jaher Garh.
Report from Bhubaneswar: Since early morning today, the bandh supporters were seen holding pickets at important places in the district bringing vehicular traffic to a halt. Hundreds of vehicles were seen stranded on the National and state highways passing through the district. The bandh supporters also blocked roads in Baripada and stopped the Tata-Badampahar MEMU local train near Bhalad in the Rairangpur subdivision.
All educational institutions, business establishments, and offices remained closed, while the roads wore a deserted look. However, schools were open in some parts of the district.
JMM workers held rallies seeking support for the bandh at various places. According to Akash Singh, JMM Youth president of Mayurbhanj district, said that they called the bandh to press for their demand for the inclusion of the Mundari language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, make Ho and Mundari the second language of Odisha, regularisation of jobs of private teachers and recognition to Sarna religion are among the few demands of the JMM, he said.