Bhubaneswar: With several police officials posted at prominent locations in the city, Monday, commuters thought that the capital would be safe on hartal. But the day’s incidents had proved them wrong.
Several commuters vent their anger over the way protestors had been dealt with. The police officials who were supposed to guard the citizens turned a blind eye towards the violators and the protestors didn’t spare women and children, many city-dwellers told Orissa POST.
“The protestors are blocking the roads and are stopping the traffic. But, I didn’t understand why the police are not doing anything to stop this anarchy? They are simply watching the whole episode and are indirectly encouraging the lawbreakers,” said Prasanna Behera, who was on his way to office.
Although, the men in uniform were posted at many prominent locations with batons to disperse crowds, they were too shy to raise their voice against protestors. For instance, around eight police officers, including an assistant sub-inspector, were posted in front of Sunshine Hospital. But they did nothing to clear the way for emergency vehicles like ambulance which reached the spot.
“The officials must have made some efforts to clear the way for emergency vehicles. Otherwise, why they are standing with the batons? Top police officials must check the CCTV visuals and take action against the police who failed to do their duty,” said Sanjib Kumar Mohanty, who was on his way to Bhubaneswar railway station.
Some of the protestors also used the street children for stopping the commuters. Eminent child rights activist Anuradha Mohanty demanded stern action against the protestors for using the children.
“The government should come up with a rehabilitation package for street children. This apart, police must take stern action against people who misused the children for breaking the law,” she said.
Many schoolchildren also had to witness these unfortunate things and their parents raised concerns about the policing in the city. “I was taking my daughter back from school and she got very scared when a group of hooligans stopped us. The police were present at the spot, but they didn’t come to help us. Fortunately, some kind-hearted individuals immediately intervened and helped us,” said Ashok Nanda, a commuter.
Meanwhile, top police officials informed Orissa POST that they have decided to take stern action against the agitators.
“We will check the CCTV footages and other visuals and strict action will be taken against the law breakers,” said city police commissioner YB Khurania.
Hartal hits train services
Bhubaneswar: The five-hour hartal against the fuel price hike organised by the BJD Monday partially affected the train service across the state. According to railway officials, some trains got delayed at Berhampur, Puri, Balasore, Nayagarh, Talcher, Sambalpur, Cuttack and Keonjhar. “A few trains got delayed due to the agitation and there were no cancellations. Only some trains got delayed for more than an hour,” said a top official of East Coast Railway (ECoR). Around 12 trains got delayed at different place due to the agitation, said ECoR officials. Tirupati-Bhubaneswar Express, Bhubaneswar-Bangalore Prashanti Express, Rourkela-Bhubaneswar Inter City, Sambalpur-Jammu Tawi Express, Titilagarh-Howrah Ispat Express, Visakhapatnam-Paradeep Express, Hyderabad-Howrah East Coast Express, Puri-Paradeep Inter City, Puri-Gunupur Passenger, Puri-Cuttack Passenger, Puri-Santragachhi Passenger and Nayagarh Town-Khurda Road passenger got delayed.
Jose K Joseph, OP
