Odisha: Leader of Opposition scuffles with lady police officer, both sides lodge complaints
By Suresh Kumar Swain
Sambalpur, Feb. 15: Jayanarayan Mishra, the Leader of the Opposition in Odisha Legislative Assembly, on Wednesday entered into a scuffle with a lady police inspector in Sambalpur during a demonstration by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on “deteriorating” law and order situation in the state.
The LoP accused the police officer Anita Pradhan of manhandling him while the latter charged the politician with physical assault and misbehavior.
Both sides lodged police complaints accusing each other of other physical assault and intimidation.
Besides, a delegation of lady police personnel submitted a petition to the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC, western range) seeking rightful action against the LoP.
As per reports, the incident occurred when BJP members led by the LoP Mr Mishra took out a huge rally from Ashapali School protesting deterioration in law and order situation in the state.
The saffron party members were waylaid by the police when they attempted to gherao the District Collector’s office. Ruckus ensued between the police and BJP members where Mr Mishra and inspector Anita Pradhan entered into a scuffle.
“The police were misbehaving with the female BJP members. When I went to the police to ask about the matter, the inspector stamped on my feet and shoved me,” alleged Mr Mishra.
“When I told her (IIC), you are the same person involved neck-deep in corruption, she again pushed me. If an inspector can push the Leader of Opposition, then the highhandedness of the police department can be easily gauged,” Mr Mishra added.
On the other hand, inspector Anita Pradhan said that the Leader of Opposition slapped her during an altercation. She also denied the allegations and said she never raised hand on the BJP leader.
Recently on February 3, Mr Mishra had given up his personal security cover questioning the capabilities of the Odisha Police. He has been unhappy with the Crime Branch probe into the murder case of senior BJD leader and state health minister Naba Kishore Das.
The Lop questioned the move to shift Naba Kishore Das to Bhubaneswar hospital after firing in Brajarajnagar.
The Lop questioned the move to shift Naba Kishore Das to Bhubaneswar hospital after firing in Brajarajnagar.
