Balasore: Normal life was affected in Jaleswar town of Odisha’s Balasore district on Tuesday as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress observed a bandh to protest the alleged rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in Debakumar village under Paschimabada panchayat.

The bandh observance began at 6 am, with workers of both parties staging demonstrations and blocking roads at several locations across Jaleswar.

Road blockades were reported near the Ambaliatha railway overbridge, Badabazar Square, Haat Square and Station Square. Movement of vehicles, except two-wheelers, remained suspended in the town. Most shops and commercial establishments remained closed, barring outlets selling essential goods.

BJD leaders, including MLA Aswini Kumar Patra and Jaleswar Municipality chairperson Pratip Kumar Pradhan, led picketing at different locations. Youth leaders and other party workers also participated in the protests, raising slogans and demanding justice for the victim.

The Congress held a meeting at Station Square and raised several demands over the case. The party demanded that the investigation be handed over to the Crime Branch, compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the victim’s family, strict action against police officers found responsible for lapses and an end to alleged interference by the ruling party in police administration.

Congress leaders, including Sudarsan Das, block president Hemanta Giri, former municipality chairperson Sunil Kumar Parida and town president Jagadish Nandi, addressed the gathering along with other party functionaries.

The impact of the shutdown was also reported in several rural areas of Jaleswar block. Police made extensive security arrangements to maintain law and order during the protests.