BJD Announces Bhubaneswar Shutdown Over Alleged Police Brutality

The opposition BJD has declared a shutdown in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday to protest the alleged assault of an Army officer and his fiancée in police custody. The six-hour bandh aims to condemn the alleged custodial torture and sexual abuse, calling for a judicial inquiry and court-monitored SIT probe.

The opposition BJD has announced a Bhubaneswar shutdown on Tuesday, protesting the alleged assault of an Army officer and his fiancée in police custody.

During a press conference on Sunday, BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo stated that the hartal will last for six hours from 6 am to noon.

BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra mentioned that their party president, Naveen Patnaik, expressed shock over the incident, describing it as a shame to Odisha. The bandh seeks to intensify the protest against police brutality. After thorough discussions, the decision for a six-hour bandh in Bhubaneswar was made.

Patnaik demanded a court-monitored SIT probe and a judicial inquiry into the matter on Friday.

The BJD has also submitted a memorandum to President Dorupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention.

The Army officer and his fiancée were allegedly assaulted when they visited the Bharatpur police station to file a complaint after experiencing road rage. The fiancée claimed she was sexually abused after her arrest, while the Army officer was illegally detained and tortured.

(With inputs from agencies.)