Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Feb 19: In a major security breach, some miscreants Thursday held up the cavalcade of the Chief Minister for about 10 minutes near Bhubaneswar Development Authority’s office, and threw eggs and waved black flags at the CM’s car.
The Chief Minister was on his way to attend the annual day celebrations of Utkal University Students’ Union function here.
The incident took place at about 5 pm when a group of purported activists of Youth and Chhatra Congress suddenly appeared on the road, shouting slogans and waving black flags at the Chief Minister’s cavalcade.
Some of the activists also threw eggs at the Chief Minister’s car. The activists were protesting the “tall claims” made by the state government of providing employment to jobless youths of the state.
Security personnel accompanying the Chief Minister were briefly taken aback, but quickly chased away the demonstrators who were attempting to advance to the Chief Minister’s car. Police later rounded up 26 Congress activists from the spot.
The Chief Minister’s vehicle was stranded for a few minutes before proceeding to the Utkal University where the chief minister was to address a function. The chief minister later announced a `100 crore package for various developmental works at the premier university of the state.
Commissioner of Police RP Sharma said action will be taken against the protesters for blocking the Chief Minister;s car and said more arrests will be made on the basis of CCTV footage from the scene.
BJD MLA Dibya Shankar condemned the incident. Leader of Opposition Narsingh Mishra declined to comment. “I was in the Assembly and have no information about the incident,” Mishra said.
In a similar incident in December 2013, the CM’s cavalcade was blocked by activists of the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) near AG Square, who were protesting the state government’s agricultural policies.