Clashes Erupt in Bhubaneswar: Congress Protests Turn Violent

In Bhubaneswar, Odisha, tensions escalated as police clashed with Congress workers protesting outside the state assembly. The unrest erupted following the suspension of 14 Congress MLAs and demands for a probe into crimes against women. Police resorted to lathi charge and water cannons to control the situation.

Tensions soared in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, as law enforcement used lathi charges against Congress workers during a protest outside the Odisha Assembly. The demonstration, aimed at opposing the suspension of 14 Congress MLAs and addressing crimes against women, escalated when police deployed water cannons and clashed with protestors who retaliated by throwing chairs.

On March 26, Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy suspended 12 Congress MLAs for alleged indiscipline and disrespect. In response to the unrest, Odisha Minister Prithviraj Harichandan criticized the opposition for unacceptable hooliganism at the Vidhan Sabha, attributing the clashes to Congress's protest over women's safety concerns under the BJP government.

Speaking to ANI, Harichandan emphasized the untenable behavior of Congress workers, while State Congress President Bhakta Charan Das condemned the use of force, citing a peaceful intent. Das argued that deploying such force to curb crimes against women would yield better outcomes and vowed to intensify protests if demands remain unmet.

(With inputs from agencies.)