Bhubaneswar, Feb 28 (IANS) The day-long shutdown called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to protest against the ban on the entry of its top leader Pravin Togadia hit normal life in Odisha's Kandhamal district Saturday, police said.
People and commercial vehicles stayed off the roads in most places including the district headquarter town of Phulbani. Shops, hotels and business establishments also downed shutters, district superintendent of police Kanwar Vishal Singh told IANS.
"Some shops are opened here and there. Although four wheelers stayed off the roads, bikes and two wheelers are operating as usual. Emergency services such as hospitals were operating normally. The shutdown has remained uneventful so far," he said.
Togadia was scheduled to address a gathering of VHP supporters at Phulbani Saturday.
The VHP called the shutdown after authorities imposed a ban on Togadia's entry into the district following apprehension that it might disturb the peace.
VHP leader Bhagaban Mohanty accused the local administration of double standards. "While it had allowed Christian missionaries to hold meetings in the region in the past, we do not understand why it restricted Togadia," he said.
At least 38 people were killed and thousands had to flee their homes following widespread communal violence in the region in 2008 after the murder of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.
Different Christian groups had moved the local and state administration seeking a ban on the proposed visit of Togadia, saying his fiery speeches might upset the fragile peace between communities.
At Rs.246,727 Crore, India's Defence spend hiked 7 Percent
New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) At Rs.246,727 crore ($40 billion), India's defence spend was Saturday
Andrea Frazetta, Jason Horowitz. More than 18 thousand people have died from coronavirus in Italy
Mohsin Naqvi apologizes to BCCI, refuses to return the Asia Cup trophy and medal.
PCB Chairman and Pakistan Government Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi apologized to the BCCI at the ACC
The fourth match of the five-match Test series is being played between India and England at Old T
Corona infected patients number 33,050 in the country, know how many cases in which state
As many as 33,050 people have been infected due to the Covid-19 epidemic in the country and since
The US Special Operations Forces launched an operation on Thursday morning to target the leader o
Comedian Kunal Kamra is constantly in the headlines after making controversial comments about Mah
Chief Ministers Will Take Up With PM Today: Shortage Of Funds To Next Steps
लॉकड में एक सप्ताह, और बड़े पैमाने पर
The US has ruled out adding India or Japan to a new trilateral security partnership with Australi
Terrorists Killed In J&K: There has been a big disclosure about two terrorists killed in Kash
