Odisha INDIA bloc calls October 8 bandh over mining amendment
Opposition parties in Odisha have called a statewide bandh for October 8 to demand repeal of the MMDR Amendment Act, alongside the resignation of a state minister and the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner. The announcement followed clashes during a protest in Bhubaneswar.
The INDIA bloc in Odisha has called a statewide bandh for October 8 to demand repeal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026. The announcement came as Congress and alliance supporters demonstrated near Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s residence in Bhubaneswar. The protesters had initially planned to march to the Assembly, but changed course after the Monsoon Session was adjourned sine die on Monday.
The demonstration involved the Congress, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, Forward Bloc, NCP, Samajwadi Party and RJD. Protesters clashed with security personnel after police stopped them from approaching the Chief Minister’s residence. Some supporters broke through barricades and were arrested, while others were detained for allegedly violating the law, a senior police officer said.
Congress state president Bhakta Charan Das announced the October 8 action and appealed for a peaceful bandh. The bloc also plans a demonstration in mineral-rich Keonjhar district on October 7. It said rallies and economic blockades would be held in mining belts to stop mineral extraction and transportation.
The alliance argues that the new law would damage Odisha’s mineral rights and financial autonomy. It claimed the State could lose about ₹1 lakh crore and ₹12,000 crore annually after implementation. The protesters also demanded protection for water, forests, land, tribal rights, mine workers and residents of mining areas.
The other demands are the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over alleged textbook errors, and the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision exercise. BJP leaders rejected the opposition’s position. State president Manmohan Samal accused Congress of habitually opposing government initiatives, while general secretary Biranchi Narayan Tripathy alleged that the party was defending its leaders’ interests.
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