New Delhi, 09 October 2026

A bandh called by Congress and Left groups disrupted normal life in Sambalpur, Odisha, as markets, schools and colleges remained closed. The protest also briefly affected railway operations after a Congress worker attempted to obstruct the Sambalpur–Puri Intercity Express at Sambalpur Junction by standing on the tracks and raising slogans.

Police personnel quickly responded to the incident, pulled the protester away from the locomotive and detained him. After the railway tracks were cleared, the train driver waved the green flag, and the train departed safely.

Sambalpur ASP Shrimant Barik said security arrangements had been strengthened at the railway station ahead of the bandh to prevent any attempts to disrupt train services. He said, “A bandh has been called by the Congress and Left groups. Extensive security arrangements were put in place by the district police, RPF, and GRP at the railway station in anticipation of attempts to enforce the shutdown. Trains are departing according to their scheduled times, and no issues have arisen so far. Additionally, police arrangements have been made on the roads and in other areas to ensure that the general public does not face any inconvenience...”

Along with security at the railway station, police personnel were deployed on roads and in other parts of the city to maintain order and prevent inconvenience to residents. According to the ASP, train services continued to operate as scheduled, while authorities remained alert throughout the bandh to ensure public safety and minimise disruption.