Bhubaneswar: The six hour bandh call given by the left parties and supported by the Congress has evoked mixed response in the state. Leaders and workers of various left parties including the CPI, CPM, CPI (ML) and Forward Block resorted to picketing and stopped vehicular movement in various areas of the state. The protests are being organized against hike in fuel prices and essential services. Protestors staged road blocks in all major highways and junctions of the state. In capital city Bhubaneswar, members of the left parties were seen protesting at the busy Bapuji Nagar, Lower PMG, Chandrasekharpur and Acharya Vihar areas. Train services were also hit due to the Bandh. While major markets remained closed, government offices, small grocery shops etc., were open. The Congress party which supported the Bandh organized a cycle rally and urged the people to not to buy petrol, diesel and gas today.
In other districts, left party members observed rail rook and road blockade at Berhampur, Rourkela, Talcher, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir, Balsore protesting the hike in petroleum products and essential items.