Sambalpur: Veteran BJP leader & Leader of Opposition Jayanarayan Mishra was seen misbehaving with a woman police officer in a video clip during a protest rally by his party workers in the western Odisha city.
The BJP workers staged a demonstration protesting against the deteriorated law and order situation in the State. During the time, a scuffle broke out between police forces and the protesters. During the face-off, Mishra was seen in the midst of the crowd and shouting at Dhanupali police station IIC Anitarani Pradhan. In the video, Mishra was heard threatening to slap her.
The lady cop was also seen raising hand at the leader. “He abused me and slapped me in the crowd when I was trying to get out of the crowd,” Pradhan said adding that she would lodge a complaint against the LoP at Dhanupali police station.
On the other hand, the senior BJP MLA also made counter allegation against the lady police officer. He alleged “The woman IIC, who was involved in several corrupt practices, had intentionally shoved me. She stomped on my feet and pushed me twice,” Mishra told media.
“We are protesting against the deteriorating law and order situation in the State. The Law and order is such a condition that police heckled and thrashed the Leader of Opposition. I suspect that she might have acted at someone’s behest,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sambalpur SP Battula Gangadhar said he sought a report on the incident. An inquiry will be conducted based on the report and accordingly action will be taken, he added.