Highlights In view of the bandh, the Odisha government directed all district collectors to ensure essential services are not hit. The Odisha government is concerned that the protestors may close down business establishments, market places, government offices, courts, petrol pumps, banks and financial institutions during the strike. New Delhi: The left parties in Odisha along with Congress will observe a six-hour bandh on Thursday (July 15) against the unprecedented hike in prices of petroleum products and essential commodities. The bandh has been called by left parties including CPI, CPI(M) Forward Bloc and CPI(ML-Liberation)- from 6 AM to 12 noon. In view of the bandh, the Odisha government directed all district collectors to ensure essential services are not hit, PTI reported. Special Secretary (Home Department), Santosh Bala in a letter to Collectors and District Magistrates defined all measures necessary during the strike which include keeping all essential services functional. Bala also warned that vehicular traffic, as well as train services, can also likely be affected during the bandh.