Odisha: Clash Between Congress Workers and Police During Protest Rally
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In Bhubaneswar, Odisha, a violent clash erupted between Congress workers and police during a protest rally advocating for women's safety. The confrontation resulted in injuries and the detention of several senior party leaders as the police employed forceful measures to disperse the crowd.
Key Takeaways
- Congress workers protested against rising women’s safety issues.
- Police used water cannons and tear gas to control the crowd.
- Several leaders, including Ajay Lallu, were detained.
- Protests have been ongoing since March 7 for a ‘House Committee’.
- 14 Congress MLAs were suspended for unruly behavior.
Bhubaneswar, March 27 (NationPress) A tense confrontation occurred between Congress workers and the police during a protest rally focused on women’s safety in the Lower PMG area of Odisha on Thursday.
Several Congress workers and members of the media were injured in the fray with the police.
The altercations began when the police attempted to halt the Congress workers' march towards the Odisha Assembly. In response, some protesters hurled stones, chairs, and eggs at law enforcement, prompting the police to deploy a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. The authorities also utilized water cannons and tear gas to manage the situation at PMG square.
The area transformed into a battleground as protesters clashed with police, leading to the detention of senior Congress leaders, including former MLA Mohammed Moquim, Odisha PCC President Bhakta Charan Das, Congress Odisha in-charge Ajay Lallu, and Congress legislature party leader Rama Chandra Kadam, in an effort to restore order.
“The police employed lathi charges, tear gas, and water cannons. This government is tyrannical. They suspended our 14 MLAs concerning the issue of women's atrocities. We called for a ‘House Committee’ to address these concerns, yet our supporters faced violence. We stand united under Rahul Gandhi, undeterred by threats,” stated AICC in-charge Lallu.
Amidst stringent security measures and barricades on routes leading to the Odisha Assembly, hundreds of Congress workers and leaders initiated their protest rally to encircle the Odisha Assembly, objecting to the alleged rise in crimes against women in the state under the BJP administration.
To prevent any incidents during the rally, the Commissionerate Police deployed 80 platoons at key locations throughout the city.
Since March 7, during the second session of the Assembly, opposition Congress members have been protesting, demanding the establishment of a ‘House Committee’ to investigate the purported increase in atrocities against women.
After persistent disruptions by Congress MLAs in the Assembly, Speaker Surama Padhy suspended 14 Congress legislators on Tuesday and Wednesday for alleged “disorderly conduct”.
