Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will initiate legal proceedings against those involved in damaging public property during a protest by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) in Bhubaneswar, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said on Thursday.
“While every citizen has the right to protest, no one has the right to vandalise government property,” Mahapatra stated. He clarified that Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL), after consultations, will take necessary steps regarding the incident.
The minister was referring to the events of Tuesday evening, when NSUI members allegedly damaged barricades installed by BSCL during a protest march from Jharpada Jail to Master Canteen, via Ram Mandir Square. The barricades had been set up by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to regulate traffic in the area.
Mahapatra condemned the act and said the government would not tolerate destruction of public assets under any circumstance.
