Bhubaneswar, Dec. 19 -- A 12-hour bandh is being observed across Sambalpur district on Friday in protest against alleged irregularities in the procurement of kharif paddy. The shutdown, which began at 6 am, will continue till 6 pm, with shops, markets, offices and commercial establishments remaining closed.

The bandh has been called by the Sambalpur Krushak Suraksha Sangathan, with hundreds of farmers taking part in the protest. The organisers, however, clarified that there would be no blockade of national highways or railway lines during the shutdown.

As part of the bandh, government and private offices, banks, educational institutions and business establishments are remaining closed across the district. Essential services have been ke...