Bhubaneswar, Aug 23 (IANS) Normal life was hit in Orissa's Balangir town as schools and colleges were closed and shops downed shutters due to a shutdown called by residents Tuesday to support Anna Hazare in his crusade against corruption.

All the private establishments were closed in the Balangir district headquarters town, about 325 km from here, with people spontaneously supporting the 24-hour strike, a district police officer told IANS.

Commuters also faced difficulties as private buses and commercial vehicles went off the roads, he said.

People from all walks of life, including women and children, took out a mass procession shouting slogans against the central government for not accepting the demands of Hazare, whose fast for a strong anti-graft bill entered the eighth day in Delhi.

"We have joined the campaign to ensure a corruption-free environment to our future generations," said Pramod Kumar Mishra, president of Balangir district chamber of commerce and industries, which called the shutdown.

Hundreds of residents of Balangir town also offered prayers for the social activist in the local temple. Although the government offices were open, they witnessed thin attendances, police said.

It was the first shutdown any town observed in the state to support Hazare, although several places have been witnessing rallies, demonstrations and fasts in the past few days.