Incidents of violence were witnessed in several parts of the capital city during the dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the opposition BJP on Wednesday with activists of ruling BJD and BJP fighting a pitched battle.
The BJP called the shutdown demanding resignation of BMC Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena over a sex clip purportedly featuring him and also his alleged involvement in the mysterious death of engineering student Asutosh Mohanty alias Rishi.
The bandh which began peacefully initially later took the violent turn with activists of BJD and BJP engaging in clashes, stone pelting, attacking with lathis.
As the saffron party workers were busy enforcing the bandh by staging road blockades and picketing in several parts of the city, the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD), the students’ wing of the BJD, took out a motorcycle rally protesting the bandh, leading to scuffles between the rival groups near Master Canteen, Sriya Talkies and Ram Mandir Squares.
The stretch between the Ram Mandir and Sriya Squares virtually turned into a battlefield as BJD activists tried to confront BJP workers. While BCJD members took on BJP workers at Ram Mandir Square, the BJP activists pelted stones and even allegedly set motorcycle of BCJD members on fire at Sriya Talkies Square in the presence of police.
A few vehicles were also damaged during the clash.
Normal life in the city was hit by the shutdown. While shops and other business establishments were shut, vehicular movement was disrupted as BJP workers blocked roads by burning tyres at several places including Khandagiri, CRP Square, Jaydev Vihar, Kalpana Square and Patia. Different offices recorded thin attendance.
Many senior BJP leaders, including Sameer Mohanty and Samir Dey were arrested near the Secretariat while trying to obstruct the carcade of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. However, Patnaik reached his Secretariat office amid tight security at around 11.35 am and stayed for nearly one hour.
Around 50 people were held in different areas for indulging in violence.
“Violence erupted in two-three places during the hartal. All the incidents were recorded in the CCTV. Those engaged in the violence will be taken to task,” said Commissioner of Police YB Khurania.
Meanwhile, BJP general secretary Bhrgu Buxipatra told reporters that his party would gherao the DGP office in Cuttack on Thursday protesting attack on supporters by ruling party members.
“How permission was given for two bike rallies of the BJD at the same time of the hartal,” Buxipatra wanted to know.
He charged that BJD goons attacked BJP supporters during the bandh injuring 12 persons.
“They (BJD workers) hurled bombs at 12 places and even resorted blank firing to create panic,” alleged Buxipatra. However, a BJD spokesperson refuted the charges.