Tensions flared in Odisha on Thursday as Congress workers clashed with police while marching towards the Assembly in protest against the suspension of 14 party MLAs and rising crime against women in the state. Security personnel, equipped with protective jackets, helmets, and batons, tried to control the situation. However, as the demonstrators persisted, police resorted to water cannons to disperse the crowd.
Despite the crackdown, Congress workers continued their protest, condemning what they called an undemocratic move by the Speaker. Police had on Tuesday night entered the Odisha Assembly Well to evict Congress members who were staging a protest demanding a House Committee to probe crimes against women committed after the BJP came to power in the state last year.
12 Congress MLAs were suspended. Following repeated disruptions and adjournments, the Speaker extended the suspension to the remaining two party legislators, barring them for seven days. MLAs of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), led by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, sprinkled ‘Ganga Jal’ in the Odisha Assembly before attending the proceedings, alleging that the House had been “spiritually polluted” by the entry of policemen.
Led by opposition chief whip Pramila Mallik, the BJD lawmakers were seen sprinkling ‘Ganga Jal’ from earthen pots with mango leaves in every nook and corner of the House. “We sprinkled ‘Ganga Jal’ to purify the Assembly. It has been polluted as the Speaker allowed the police to enter the Well of the House,” BJD member and former minister Arun Kumar Sahoo said.
In view of Congress’s gherao programme, the police have taken strict security measures and imposed traffic restrictions. A total of 80 platoons of police forces have been deployed, including 10 platoons comprising women personnel, on all roads leading to the assembly. We will also deploy the Odisha Swift Action Force, which is used for tackling riots,” news agency PTI quoted Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena as saying.