Odisha Police Station Scandal: BJD, Congress Stage Protests In Bhubaneswar, President’s Intervention Sought

Bhubaneswar: Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress staged separate demonstrations protesting the alleged assault of an Army officer and his fiancée at Bharatpur police station in Odisha capital, which has triggered nationwide uproar.

While a large number of BJD workers staged a demonstration outside Raj Bhavan, Congress activists held a protest near the residence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in the city.

The protest by BJD workers came a day after party president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Friday demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident.

The regional party also submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India alleging deterioration in the law and order situation in the state.

The BJD protesters demanded exemplary action against the police officials of Bharatpur police station who allegedly assaulted and harassed Army officer of Sikh Regiment Major Gurvansh Singh and his fiancée.

Terming the Crime Branch investigation as an eyewash to cover up the police brutality, BJD leader and Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das said the regional party strongly demands a court-monitored SIT probe into the incident as suggested by Naveen Patnaik.

Attacking the state government, BJD leader Lekhasri Samantasinghar said the way the Army officer and fiancée were treated in Bharatpur Police Station was shocking.

The Congress workers, on the other hand, gathered in large numbers and tried to gherao the Chief Minister’s residence. They also reportedly hurled tomatoes and eggs at the police personnel deployed at the site. They also tried to scale the barricades erected by the police.

Demanding immediate steps to arrest the suspended IIC of Bharatpur police station, the Congress demonstrators said the Chief Minister should step down from office.

Speaking about a series of videos being circulated on social media, allegedly to frame the victim, social activist and former member of Odisha State Commission for Women, Namrata Chaddha said that only selective clips were leaked.

“No one cared when they were pleading to take their complain. The video has been recorded is after a lot time spent in the police station. It is being said that she was aggressive with youths on the road. What will a girl do if accosted by 6 to 8 rowdies,” said Chaddha.