Hundreds of Students Congress activists on Tuesday took out a bike rally and tried to proceed towards the Naveen Niwas, the residence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, protesting the killing of five civilians in Kandhamal district on July 8.
When the security forces intercepted the protestors near Sishu Bhavan, a scuffle ensued between them. Police detained over 50 activists.
The activists took out the rally from the Congress Bhawan in the morning demanding immediate suspension and arrest of IG, Southern Range, Amitabh Thakur in connection with the death of the five villagers. The rally reached the Sishu Bhawan, where Students Congress activists led by its president Itish Pradhan burnt an effigy of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
“The Odisha Government has paid a paltry compensation to the families of the deceased to keep their mouths shut. Why has the IG, Southern Range, not yet been arrestedIJ The Students Congress will continue its agitation till he is arrested,” Pradhan told reporters.