Tension ran high near Airport Square here on Tuesday as BJP Mahila Morcha members had a faceoff with police personnel during a demonstration staged by the former protesting Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy’s derogatory remarks against women.
The clash took place when the women activists attempted to enter the Naveen Niwas to meet Chief Minister Naveen Patniak over the issue and demand action against Maharathy.
Holding party flags and banner, the Mahila Morcha members by Morcha president Pravati Parida had earlier taken out a rally from their party office and marched towards the residence of the Chief Minister to seek his reply over the issue. They also demanded dismissal of Maharathy from the Ministry for his objectionable remarks on women.
Later, the police detained around 15 members of the BJP women’s wing from the spot.
Mahila Morcha leader Lekhashree Samantasinghar alleged that the women demonstrators were manhandled by male police personnel as female police personnel were not deployed at the spot.