Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) activists in Odisha clashed with the police on Wednesday as they tried to deepen the public service building seeking justice for a Balasore College student, who Bend in front of injuries After setting yourself on fire. The girl took an extreme step after her complaint alleging harassment by a professor.
When the police blocked the BJD workers, the tension increased, which was marching towards the Public Service Bhawan, the highest seat of power in the state after dissolving security barricades.
Several senior BJD leaders, including former ministers Pranab Prakash Das, Pritiranjan Garei and Rajya Sabha member Sulata Dev, fired tear gas shells and used water cannons to disperse the protesters. BJD sources said that the injured are currently being treated in various hospitals.
The BJD leaders alleged that the college students, who could have saved the issue with the institution and the police, could be saved, the government intervened in the matter when it tried to reach under the party’s leadership, including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Maji and State Higher Education Minister Suryabansi Suraj.
“This is the beginning of protest in the state capital. We want to warn the government that it will intensify and spread throughout the state. They cannot silence our voice using the police force. We will continue to protest against the BJP government until they resign judicial inquiry and education minister and Chief Minister,”
Police personnel erected a guard in the form of mortal remains of the college student, who set themselves to the ablaze, they were cremated. (Photo: PTI)
BJD leader Arun Kumar Sahu said that the protest reflected the anger of the people against the state government, which has failed to protect women.
Prior to protest, the police had made detailed security arrangements by constructing barricades on the routes leading to Public Service Bhavan. Officials said several hundred BJD leaders and workers were detained to violate “prohibitive orders”.
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BJD is also observing a shutdown of eight hours from 6 am to 2 pm in Balasore district.
While traffic came at a stagnation on major routes, including Chennai -Hovrah NH -16 in Balasore, commercial establishments, major markets and educational institutions remained closed. Railway services have also been affected due to shutdown, in which BJD workers have seen protests on tracks at many places.
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