In response to the scuffle that erupted during the BJD’s attempt to gherao Lok Seva Bhawan, Police Commissioner S. Dev Dutta Singh clarified that no rubber bullets were used against the protestors.
Instead, officials deployed five tear gas shells and water cannons to control the crowd after the first barricade was broken.
The protest, held with prior permission, was monitored extensively using AI-powered drones and cameras, which captured the movements and identities of participants. “Any footage revealing acts of violence will be used to take appropriate action,” said Singh.
Authorities had stationed a large contingent of police forces around the protest site as a precaution. Both protestors and police personnel reportedly sustained minor injuries.
The entire demonstration was monitored from the Police Seva Bhawan command centre to ensure transparency and accountability. Singh emphasised that the measures taken were proportionate and aimed at maintaining public order without excessive force.
