The bandh call was given by Nikhila Utkal Kui Samaj Union (NUKSU), a sister concern of Kui Samaj Samanwya Samiti, the apex body of tribals in Kandhamal.
"The bandh will be called off only if state government announces creation of the sub-division by January 19," NUKSU Secretary Pradeep Kanhar said.
The riot-ravaged district currently has two sub-divisions with headquarters in Phulbani and Baliguda.
NUKSU leaders said residents of Ghumsar Udayagiri block which falls under Baliguda subdivision need to travel 100 km to reach the sub-divisional headquarters of Baliguda.
" Just upgrading the block office to sub-divisional head quarters office will not cost much to the state government," Kanhar argued.
They claimed that all the tribal inhabitants of Kandhamal and local traders would support the bandh.
"We plan to organise a peaceful bandh on January 21. But violence may break out if the administration try to foil our bandh," Kanhar said.
Meanwhile, a delegation of Kui speaking tribal leaders led by Lambodar Kahanr met Orissa&aposs Revenue Secretary G V V Sarma and expressed displeasure over Tribes Advisory Committee&aposs (TAC) approval of adding&aposkandha&aposwith&aposkui&aposin the presidential order of list of tribals in the state.
" Instead of writing kui-kanda, we demand putting a bracket around the word&aposkanda&apos. This will solve the problem," Lambodar Kanhar told reporters after meeting Sarma.