Odia cine and Jatra actress Usashi Misra on Monday alleged that she was manhandled, molested and abused in filthy language by three persons while she was going to perform in a Jatra show at Derang in Angul district on Sunday night.
In a complaint filed at the Kanhia police station, Usashi named one Indramani Sahu and his two sons of assaulting her just as she was ascending the stage for performance organised by the Eastern Blue Opera.
The accused also vandalised her vehicle, she alleged.
In a social media post soon after the incident, the actress described her plight and how she fought back to save herself. In the post, Usashi wrote that she was “manhandled”, “molested” and “badmouthed.” Pointing out at the sheer negligence of the Jatra committee and management, Usashi raised questions about the safety of general women when a media figure like her had to undergo such an ordeal. “They tried to rip my clothes. I gave a good fight and saved myself,” her post read.
Confirming the reports, Kanhia police station Officer in-Charge Sukanti Kerkata said, “We have received the FIR and a probe has been initiated into the incident.”
Pallahara SDPO Yashwant Samal informed that soon after the actress reached the show venue, there was jostle among villagers and someone from the crowd suddenly hit her.
“Upon being hit, Usashi got infuriated and slapped a person. This triggered tension and the villagers did not allow the opera show to be preformed. later, police reached the spot and pacified the crowd,” Samal added.