Bhubaneswar, July 16 (UNI) The police today used tear gas shells and water cannons to disperse agitated BJD leaders and workers attempting to gherao the Lok Seva Bhawan, demanding a judicial probe into the tragic death of Soumyashree Bisi, a student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore.
The situation escalated when BJD workers broke through the first barricade and tried to breach a second one at Lower PMG Square in their bid to march towards the Lok Seva Bhawan, the state secretariat.
Tensions flared as the area turned into a virtual battleground, with scuffles breaking out between protesters and police.
Despite repeated warnings and the use of tear gas and water cannons, the BJD workers, including members of the party’s student, youth, and women wings, continued their protest, staging a sit-in on Mahatma Gandhi Marg.
Police detained hundreds of protesters, including several BJD MLAs and leaders, who refused to vacate the area.
Drones were deployed to monitor the situation and track the movement of the protesters attempting to breach the security cordon near Lower PMG.
Simultaneously, the BJD also called for an eight-hour bandh in Balasore district from 6 am to 2 pm, demanding a judicial inquiry into the death of Soumyashree, who allegedly died by self-immolation after being denied justice over allegations of sexual and mental harassment by Assistant Professor Samar Sahu.
The party has also demanded resignation of Higher Education Minister Suryavansi Suraj ,holding the government responsible for the tragic death of Soumyashree Bisi, a second year B Ed student of F M( Autonomous) college ,Balasore, who succumbed to 90 percent burn injuries on July 15 in her attempt to self- immolate at the college campus on July 12 last.
The bandh severely disrupted normal life in the district, with business establishments, offices, and educational institutions remaining closed. Vehicular movement came to a standstill.
BJD activists also staged a rail roko at Soro and Balasore stations, disrupting train services in support of their demands.
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