Bhubaneswar: Several people were taken into preventive custody from different places in the city as the 12-hour state-wide Orissa bandh, called to protest against the Centre's move to privatise National Aluminium Company (NALCO), commenced on September 19 morning.

The bandh supporters were picked up by the police from important crossings while picketing and obstructing movement of vehicles, official sources said.

The bandh, called by various central trade unions, has been given support by all non- BJP political parties. The BJP's ruling alliance partner Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had also extended its full support to the bandh.

Train services through the state were affected as all long distance trains were detained and controlled at different stations. Bus services were also withdrawn from the highways.

While bycles, two-wheelers and three-wheelers were seen moving on the streets, pro- bandh supporters totally blocked the approach road in front of the corporate office of NALCO.

So far, there was no report of any untoward incident received from anywhere in the state. A large number of security personnel had been deployed at important places.

PTI