Bhubaneswar: The ongoing three-day protest of BJP over the deteriorating law and order situation has turned violent in Sambalpur as Leader of Opposition Jayanarayan Mishra faced off with a lady police IIC. When the BJP workers led by Mishra took out a huge rally from Ashapali School to gherao the Collector’s office in Sambalpur, the protesters scuffled with the police. During the protest, the Leader of the Opposition faced off with the lady police officer. Ruckus ensued between the police and BJP members when Mishra and the Dhanupali IIC entered into a scuffle.
Following this incident, Mishra and the police IIC Anita Pradhan blamed each other for the untoward incident. “The police were misbehaving with the female BJP members. When I went to the police to ask about the matter, the IIC stamped on my feet and shoved me,” alleged the BJP legislator. Mishra said he told the IIC that she is the same person, who was neck-deep in corruption. Then, she again pushed him, alleged Mishra. “If an IIC can push the Leader of Opposition, then the highhandedness of the police department can be easily gauged,” he added.
On the other hand, IIC Anita Pradhan said that the Leader of the Opposition slapped her during an altercation. Pradhan also denied the allegations and said she never raised her hand on the BJP leader. According to reports, Pradhan has filed a written complaint against Mishra at the Town Police Station in Sambalpur.
Recently, the BJP leader had given up his personal security cover questioning the capabilities of the Odisha Police following the murder of Minister Naba Kishore Das by a police ASI. Meanwhile, the BJD sought an apology from Mishra and demanded his removal as the Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly. BJD spokesperson Shreemayee Mishra said, “Jayanarayan Mishra is a habitual offender with 14 cases, including murder, against him for which he also had been to jail. He is known for threatening and assaulting people. Today, he again assaulted an on-duty police officer.
The video of this shocking assault is there for all to see.” “Is this how the Odisha BJP and its leaders show respect and protect the dignity of women?” she questioned. “The BJP should immediately remove him from the post of Leader of Opposition. Also, Odisha BJP and the MLA should apologise to 4.5 crore people of Odisha, especially the women, for having disrespected and denigrated the dignity of a female cop in public,” she demanded.