Fresh challenge for cops over Cong assembly gherao plan | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: City police are likely to face another challenge on Thursday during a planned ‘assembly gherao’ by Congress, following criticism of their alleged poor management of Wednesday’s demonstration by the opposition party outside the assembly premises. Congress previously announced to gherao the assembly in protest against alleged rise in crimes against women.
Police were completely caught unawares as hundreds of Congress members gathered outside the assembly despite the imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in its vicinity. Section 163 prohibits unauthorised gatherings of five or more people, carrying banners or placards, and organising protests or dharnas around the assembly.
“Even though tension mounted outside the assembly following the suspension of 12 Congress MLAs on Tuesday evening, police did not learn any lesson. Failure of the police was noticed when Congress supporters breached the sensitive area, leaving cops spectators. Senior police officers were seen struggling to deal with the law and order situation,” said senior lawyer Sidhharth Das said.
Retired DSP Swadhin Sahoo said, “The senior police officers should draw a foolproof security plan for Thursday’s ‘assembly gherao’ by Congress. Proper mob control plans should be kept in readiness. Those who foment violence should be dealt with an iron hand.”
Commissionerate police said they are prepared for the Congress protest. “We appeal to the party members to protest peacefully. Nobody should take law in their hands. Police dealt with the angry mob outside the assembly on Tuesday and Wednesday with utmost restraint. Even though the protesters provoked our officers, hurled abuses and manhandled them, we kept our cool,” a senior police officer said.
He added, “Police will deploy adequate video cameras to keep tabs on the Congress protest. Strict action will be taken if they resort to violence. Our personnel have been briefed to deal with the protesters with restraint.”
In a written advisory, commissionerate police on Wednesday urged motorists to avoid various routes around the assembly’s vicinity between 9 am and 3 pm on Thursday.
Police have heightened security measures around the Vidhan Sabha. Several barricades have been installed at strategic locations, and additional police personnel have been deployed to maintain peace and order.
Police were completely caught unawares as hundreds of Congress members gathered outside the assembly despite the imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in its vicinity. Section 163 prohibits unauthorised gatherings of five or more people, carrying banners or placards, and organising protests or dharnas around the assembly.
“Even though tension mounted outside the assembly following the suspension of 12 Congress MLAs on Tuesday evening, police did not learn any lesson. Failure of the police was noticed when Congress supporters breached the sensitive area, leaving cops spectators. Senior police officers were seen struggling to deal with the law and order situation,” said senior lawyer Sidhharth Das said.
Retired DSP Swadhin Sahoo said, “The senior police officers should draw a foolproof security plan for Thursday’s ‘assembly gherao’ by Congress. Proper mob control plans should be kept in readiness. Those who foment violence should be dealt with an iron hand.”
Commissionerate police said they are prepared for the Congress protest. “We appeal to the party members to protest peacefully. Nobody should take law in their hands. Police dealt with the angry mob outside the assembly on Tuesday and Wednesday with utmost restraint. Even though the protesters provoked our officers, hurled abuses and manhandled them, we kept our cool,” a senior police officer said.
He added, “Police will deploy adequate video cameras to keep tabs on the Congress protest. Strict action will be taken if they resort to violence. Our personnel have been briefed to deal with the protesters with restraint.”
In a written advisory, commissionerate police on Wednesday urged motorists to avoid various routes around the assembly’s vicinity between 9 am and 3 pm on Thursday.
Police have heightened security measures around the Vidhan Sabha. Several barricades have been installed at strategic locations, and additional police personnel have been deployed to maintain peace and order.
