5,000 Congress Workers Booked for Bhubaneswar Protest Violence

Bhubaneswar: The Twin City Commissionerate Police has registered cases against nearly 5,000 Congress leaders and workers in connection with the violent clashes that broke out during a protest rally organised by the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) in Bhubaneswar on March 27.

Senior leaders, including OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das, Congress MLAs Tara Prasad Bahinipati, Ramesh Chandra Jena, Rama Chandra Kadam, Pabitra Saunta, Sagar Charan Das, Prafulla Chandra Pradhan, Mangu Khila, CS Raazen Ekka, and former MLAs Md Mokim and Suresh Chandra Routray, have been named in the FIR.

The protest rally was held at Gandhi Marg in the Lower PMG area as part of the party’s call to gherao the Odisha Legislative Assembly over the alleged spike in crimes against women under the BJP-led state government.

According to Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena, three individuals have been arrested so far, and further action will be taken against those found involved in the violence during the ongoing investigation.

The FIR mentions that Congress workers from various districts of the state had gathered in Bhubaneswar and marched in processions to Gandhi Marg, where a public meeting was held. During the event, leaders allegedly delivered inflammatory and anti-government speeches, which police claim provoked the crowd.

Officials stated that protestors attempted to breach police barricades to march towards the Assembly. The situation escalated as demonstrators allegedly pelted stones, eggs, tomatoes, and plastic chairs at police personnel.

Despite repeated warnings from the police, the protestors reportedly continued their aggressive actions, prompting security forces to deploy water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The confrontation resulted in injuries to over 50 individuals, including several police personnel.

The incident has further intensified the political tension between the Congress and the ruling BJP in Odisha, with the former accusing the government of suppressing democratic protests and failing to address the safety of women in the state.