India, July 17 -- Several opposition parties have jointly called for a 12-hour Odisha bandh on Thursday, July 17, days after the death of a college student after self-immolation over alleged inaction after alleged sexual harassment by a professor.

The bandh was called by eight Opposition parties in Odisha, demanding justice for the student.

The bandh was also in place on Wednesday in some places, including Balasore, but it was shorter in duration. It will remain in place until 6pm Thursday.

Markets, and commercial establishments, schools and colleges will remain closed and roads are expected to be deserted during the bandh as vehicular movement has been suspended, Odisha TV reported.

However, essential healthcare services like pharmac...