Drivers Had Assured Of Peaceful Protest, Says Bhubaneswar DCP

Bhubaneswar: A day after the massive protests by drivers leading to public inconvenience in the capital city, Bhubaneswar DCP Umashankar Dash said Commissionerate Police was aware of the protest and the Driver Mahasangha had assured that the agitation would be peaceful.

Addressing mediapersons, the DCP said the protesters under the banner of Driver Mahasangha had assured that the agitation would be peaceful but they resorted to violence after entering the city. Police had kept 25 platoons ready for the protest and Mahasangh had also appointed some volunteers for a peaceful protest but things turned otherwise, he added.

The DCP said the Mahasangh had assured that they would remain on city outskirts and their leaders would come into Bhubaneswar to discuss their demands. But, the leaders too could not manage the members and many resorted to vandalism.

He said the CCTV footage of the protests at different places of the city are being examined and action will be taken against those who resorted to  violence. Three cases have been lodged by Bhubaneswar UPD in this case, he added.

During the drivers’ protest vehicles were damaged at several places, public faced inconvenience due to traffic congestion on Monday.

Also Read: After Massive Rally By Drivers, Odisha Govt Says Panel To Look Into Demands

According to reports, the DCPs of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack and SPs of all districts were alerted by the Special Branch of State Intelligence department that some 40,000 agitators were expected to participate in the agitation in Bhubaneswar on April 18.