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.
The first contestant of Kangana Ranaut's lockup revealed, face shown in new promo
In the new proms of Kangana Ranaut's new show Lock-Up, the first contestants have been revealed.
Modi meets Jinping in Bali: Both leaders shake hands during dinner, separate talks expected
The G20 summit began on Tuesday in Bali, Indonesia. Food and Energy Security were discussed in th
President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the Parliament on Monday ahead of the commencement of the bud
India, Mauritius will work to avoid tax treaty abuse: Modi
Port Louis, March 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday assured that India would w
RBI Repo Rate: RBI increased the repo rate by 0.35% to 6.25%, so your loan EMI will increase further
RBI Governor has announced to increase in the repo rate after the MPC meeting which lasted for th
Auction of spectrum for the launch of 5G services is going on in the country. On Tuesday (July 26
The company has increased the price of Xiaomi's Redmi Note 10 Pro, one of the biggest smartphone
Exhibition raises concerns over gender inequality
New Delhi, March 28 (IANS) A girl in class 10 writes &ldq
UN Secretary-General stresses establishing peace in Ukraine, says war cannot be the solution
On the completion of one year of the Ukraine war, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that
After the hijab controversy that has been going on in Karnataka for the last several months, now
