The Commissionerate Police have launched a swift crackdown following a violent clash during the Congress party’s siege of the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Thursday. One Congress worker, Mirza Islam Baig from Naharkanta, has been arrested and forwarded to court by the Capital Police Station for attacking police personnel during the protest. Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena confirmed that a case (130/25) has been registered, and the investigation is ongoing.
According to DCP Meena, the arrested individual is a key instigator who allegedly led others to hurl chairs and stones at police officers. CCTV and media footage have helped identify additional troublemakers, with a list of suspects already prepared. “We’ve arrested the primary accused, and others involved will be apprehended soon,” Meena stated, adding that the identification process is in progress.
The chaotic scenes unfolded as Congress workers attempted to storm the Assembly gates, prompting police to deploy batons, water cannons, and tear gas to control the situation. Two cases were filed at Capital Police Station on Friday—one related to the attack on police at Lower PMG square and another over a gathering of 40 Congress workers near the Assembly gate on the night of March 26. Additionally, a separate case involving the burning of a police vehicle is under investigation.
Meanwhile, allegations of police brutality have surfaced. Advocate Lalatendu Das has filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission against the Police DG, Commissioner, and Bhubaneswar DCP, claiming excessive use of force injured over 40 Congress workers. The hearing is pending. Congress has accused police of targeting its members, while authorities maintain they acted to restore order amid stone-pelting and egg-throwing by protesters.
