Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, June 25: The state is being put through a major security drill Thrusday through Friday to ensure peace during the 12-hour statewide bandh called by the Congress party. Security was tightened in Bhubaneswar where 40 Youth Congress workers were taken into custody by the police ahead of Friday’s bandh.
The Congress called the state-wide bandh to protest against the “mismanagement” during the Brahma Paribartan ritual of Lord Jagannath. The party has demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident in Puri that had resulted in widespread dismay and also led to the suspension of two Daitapati servitors.
The YCworkers were arrested when they violated ban orders and marched to Naveen Niwas, the residence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, demanding dismissal of law minister Arun Kumar Sahoo in connection with the Puri temple fiasco.
They were also demanding an open apology from the Chief Minister over the violation of the centuries-old tradition in Shree Jagannath temple during the Brahma Paribartan ritual.
More than 100 party workers participated in a motor-cycle rally from Congress Bhawan to Naveen Niwas and they also burned effigies of the Chief Minister and law minister, holding them responsible for the ‘mismanagement’ of the rituals. Police swiftly threw a security blanket around Patnaik’s residence.
A total of 30 platoons of police personnel will be deployed in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack for maintaining law and order in view of the shutdown call given by the Congress, city police commissioner RP Sharma said. Security has been beefed up elsewhere in the state too, state police officials said.
While security for the Chief Minister’s carcade and residence has been increased, two platoons of police personnel have been deployed at the official residence of the law minister. Security arrangements have also been made at the residence of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration chief Suresh Chandra Mohapatra and that of food supplies and consumer welfare minister Sanjay Dasburma, police said.