Bhubaneswar: Senior BJD leaders Pranab Prakash Das alias Bobby Das and Pritiranjan Gharai were hospitalised after being injured while party workers attempted to gherao the Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar over the death of FM College student Soumyashree Bisi.
According to reports, Bobby and Pritiranjan were hurt when police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters. Das has been admitted to Apollo Hospital, while Gharai was taken to Capital Hospital.
As per reports, BJD workers were protesting the alleged harassment of Fakir Mohan (FM) Autonomous College student Soumyashree Bisi, who died after attempting self-immolation. As BJD workers approached the Lok Seva Bhawan, they tried to breach the barricades set up on Lower PMG Road, sparking a fierce confrontation with police. The intense scuffle led police to resort to water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters.
Meanwhile, a tear gas shell hit one of the legs of Das, leaving him injured. He was rushed to the Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar for treatment. Das is currently undergoing treatment at the ICU, while Gharai is undergoing treatment at Capital Hospital. Besides, BJD women’s leader Sulata Deo was also injured during the clash between police and party workers. Over 100 BJD workers have been detained by the police.
Several other BJD leaders, including Sunil Mohanty, Biswa Mallik, Jitu Balabantray, and Sanjeev Mallik, also sustained injuries during the scuffle.
The protesters are demanding compensation of Rs 2 crore for the victim’s family and the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.