By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, January 24, 2018: Normal life virtually came to standstill in the state on Wednesday following dawn to dusk bandh and hartal called by the Opposition parties, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party in protest against suicide of an alleged rape victim.

A minor tribal girl of Sorisapadar village in Koraput was allegedly gang raped by a group of security personnel on October 10 last year when she was returning from Kunduli market near the village.

Buses and four wheelers stayed off roads fearing violence in the morning. Trains were stopped by Congress workers on Wednesday leaving passengers stranded at the Bhubaneswar railway station.

Bandh supporters had congregated across the capital city including places like Master Canteen square and major junctions of the capital city.

Schools and colleges were closed following instruction from the state government to remain closed for the day. Market places were wearing a deserted look.

“Protesting the injustice done to the innocent Kunduli girl, we have called Odisha bandh,” said a senior Congress leader.

Congress workers have also stopped several trains at Sambalpur and Bhadrak railway stations.

Besides, the bandh has affected life in several places like Rourkela, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack.

Congress workers reportedly resorted to violence in Cuttack damaging several vehicles during the 12-hour Odisha bandh.

Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Prithviraj Harichandan held the state government responsible for the suicide of the girl and demanded for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe to unearth the truth behind the case.