Bhawanipatna: The outlawed CPI (Maoist) has called for a 24-hour Odisha bandh on October 21 in protest against the construction of barrages upstream of Mahanadi by Chhattisgarh.

The Bansadhara-Ghumusara-Nagabali division of the CPI (Maoist) through an audio clip released to the press has appealed people to observe a 24-hour bandh on October 21 to protest against the construction of barrages by Chhattisgarh which aimed to sell water to industries at the cost of the farmers.

The Division’s secretary Umakant has urged the people, especially in Rayagada, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Gajapati and Ganjam districts to make the bandh a success.

Rebel leader Umakant compared BJD’s movement against the construction of barrages upstream of Mahanadi by Chhattisgarh to that of shedding crocodile tears.

The outlawed party has called upon peoples’ movements in western Odisha to join hands in the fight against Chhattisgarh government’s move to deprive farmers of their rights on Mahanadi water and sell it to capitalists.

The rebel leader has demanded immediate arrest of jawans involved in the gang rape of the Class IX student at Sorishpadar in Koraput district.

While calling for a stop to atrocities and exploitation of tribals and poor people by paramilitary forces and police in tribal-dominated areas, the rebel leader has demanded their complete withdrawal from these areas.