Bhubaneswar: Train services were disrupted and traffic on the highways stalled as the 'Bharat Bandh', called by the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) demanding release of the arrested Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati, began in Orissa today (Nov 22, 2004).

Trains were held up at Khurda Road junction, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack stations as Sangh Parivar activists squatted on the tracks in support of their demand, official sources said.

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Traffic on the NH-5 had been paralysed between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar as the pro-bandh supporters erected road blockades at Link Road crossing at Cuttack and Rasulgarh and Barmunda in the capital city.

They burnt tyres on the road to stall traffic as large number of vehicles were stranded on the highway.

Shops and business establishments in different cities had not opened since morning though small traders and kiosks were continuing business.

The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and Bajrang Dal had extended support to the bandh call in the State.

In Bhubaneswar, several schools were open though some of them closed down soon after. Government offices functioned normally. However, traffic within the city was normal.

The police rounded up 14 persons for resorting to picketing at different places, the sources said.