Bhubaneswar: Three FIRs have been registered at Capital police station in Bhubaneswar under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the March 27 clash during Congress’ Vidhan Sabha gherao programme in Odisha capital.
According to sources, the charges include rioting, attempting to torch a government vehicle, and obstructing police officials from performing their duties during the protest.
A case has been registered for violation of prohibitory order under Section 163 of the BNS which was in effect at the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
The Commissionerate Police also lodged a separate case against OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das and senior Congress leaders, including Niranjan Patnaik, Jayadev Jena, Narasingha Mishra, and Sharad Kar, for attempting to enter the Assembly premises.
Sources further stated that Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena has formed three special teams to investigate the cases and identify those involved in the violence.
The Mahatma Gandhi Marg turned into a battlefield as Congress party workers clashed with police on Thursday as they tried to gherao the Assembly over rise in crimes against women and the suspension of the party’s 14 MLAs from the House. Police baton-charged, lobbed tear gas shells and used water cannon to disperse Congress workers.
The OPCC president blamed the police for the violence, claiming that the Congress activists retaliated when provoked. He alleged that police beat them up brutally during the demonstration.
Also Read: DGP Warns Of Stern Action Over Violence During Congress Bid To Gherao Odisha Assembly
On Thursday, Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania warned of stern action against those who indulged in violence during the protest. He said that some anti-social elements attacked security personnel. At least 12 cops were injured as protesters pelted stones and hurled chairs during the demonstration.
BJD seeks public apology from Odisha DGP
The BJD, on the other hand, blamed the DGP for vitiating the atmosphere within the state with his ‘vindictive and revengeful’ statement.
While expressing deep sympathy for the injured and wishing them a swift recovery, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said that the statement of the DGP, “anti-social individuals who incited terror and were involved in violence, wherever they are, will be sent to jail. We will not tolerate this at all”, reeks of vengeance. “Never before has a DGP issued such an angry and retaliatory statement, especially regarding protests. The duty of the police is not solely to protect the police force, but to maintain law and order in a balanced and neutral manner. Therefore, the DGP’s recent statement, which was filled with anger and resentment, was entirely inappropriate,” he told a presser.
The BJD spokesperson criticised the DGP’s labelling of protesters as “anti-social” individuals and the subsequent threat of legal action. “Such remarks are not only unjust but also violate the Odisha Police Manual Rule, which strictly prohibits police officers from being revengeful, under any circumstances. His statement sets a wrong precedent for the state’s police force,” he said, while calling for a public apology from the DGP.