Normal life came to a standstill in Odisha on Thursday as opposition Congress and seven other political parties enforced a 12-hour bandh over the death of a college student who set herself on fire after being denied justice in an alleged sexual harassment incident

Though over six hours had passed since the strike began, there were no reports of violence or untoward incidents from any part of the state, a senior home department official said, adding that the bandh has mostly affected transport and business sectors

The bandh, however, affected coal and mineral transportation from mines, but operations in major industries such as Nalco in Angul, Rourkela Steel Plant in Rourkela and other places were normal

Roads in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and other parts of the state wore a deserted look, while train services have been affected in some places due to picketing on tracks

Protesters staged blockades on several arterial roads in the state capital, raising slogans against the BJP government and demanding justice for the deceased college girl in Balasore

Leaders of the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), CPIM (ML), Forward Bloc, RJD, SP and NCP hit the streets, holding their party flags to enforce the bandh

In support of the bandh, the Odisha Petroleum Dealers` Association shut down all fuel stations across the state from 6 am to 6 pm as a precautionary measure

The state government has tightened security in view of the bandh