INDIA Bloc calls October 8 Odisha Bandh over mining law, education issues, poll irregularities

Bhubaneswar, Sep 29 (UNI) The Odisha INDIA Bloc on Tuesday called a statewide bandh on October 8, protesting the Centre's mining policies and raising issues over alleged electoral irregularities, the education system and flood relief. The bandh call was announced by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das at a mass rally in Bhubaneswar, where alliance leaders demanded repeal of the MMDR (Amendment) Act, 2026, and other Central mining laws. The opposition parties alleged that the amended mining law undermines Odisha's rights over its mineral resources and revenue, and said they would intensify their agitation against what they termed…