BJD Calls 6-Hour Shutdown in Bhubaneswar Amid Protests Over Law and Order

Bhubaneswar : The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has announced a six-hour shutdown in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, September 24, in response to the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, particularly following the recent assault on an army officer and his fiancée at the Bharatpur police station.

The bandh will commence at 6 AM and will extend to the capital city and surrounding areas. BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra addressed the media, urging the public to support the bandh as a means of protesting the incident, which has drawn widespread condemnation.

The controversy erupted after reports surfaced of police misconduct involving the army officer and his fiancée at the Bharatpur police station. Various organizations and political leaders have voiced their outrage over the alleged brutality. Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has called for a judicial inquiry into the incident.

In a related effort, the women’s wing of the BJD has submitted a memorandum to the President, emphasizing the alarming decline in the state’s law and order.

BJD officials have also criticized the ruling BJP, accusing them of attempting to downplay the incident while celebrating their 100-day anniversary. They stated, “On a 100-day journey, the son of the Governor brutally attacked an officer of the state. This incident underscores the need for immediate attention to law and order issues in Odisha.”