Odisha Bandh: Congress Workers Clash With Police Near CM’s Residence, Several Leaders Arrested

Bhubaneswar, July 17 – Tensions escalated in the capital on Wednesday as several Congress leaders and Chhatra Congress workers were arrested while attempting to gherao the official residence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, during the statewide Odisha bandh called to protest the death of a college student in Balasore.

The bandh, spearheaded by the Congress and supported by seven other opposition parties including the Samajwadi Party, NCP, RJD, and various Left outfits, witnessed widespread participation across Odisha, severely impacting normal life. Protesters demanded a judicial probe into the death of Soumyashree Bisi, a second-year Integrated B.Ed student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, who succumbed to severe burn injuries on July 14 after allegedly facing prolonged sexual and mental harassment.

Chanting slogans and holding placards, hundreds of Chhatra Congress activists marched towards the CM’s residence on MG Road. The demonstration turned volatile near Lower PMG Square as protesters clashed with police personnel while trying to breach the security barricade. Police resorted to a baton charge and dispersed the agitators.

Among those detained were Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das, AICC Odisha in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu, former minister Jayadev Jena, and other senior leaders. Police later cleared MG Road of protesters.

The dawn-to-dusk bandh, which began at 6 am, brought the state to a virtual standstill. Educational institutions, markets, and business establishments remained closed. Public transport services, including buses, were suspended, and train services were severely affected due to picketing and rail blockades. Protesters squatted on railway tracks at several stations, disrupting the movement of around 20 trains.

In Bhubaneswar, Congress leaders conducted a bike rally across key locations to ensure effective enforcement of the bandh. Meanwhile, highways across the state were blocked, causing long traffic jams and leaving vehicles stranded for hours.

Essential services such as hospitals, ambulances, and medicine shops were exempted from the bandh. However, government offices and banks witnessed protests, with demonstrators demanding accountability from the state administration.

Commissionerate Police set up a dedicated helpline (0674-254351) for Bhubaneswar and Cuttack residents to report any issues during the bandh. Heavy police deployment across key intersections helped prevent any major untoward incidents, according to officials.

Congress leaders reiterated their demand for the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, accusing them of failing to protect students and ensure accountability in educational institutions.

“Our fight for justice will not stop,” said Ajay Kumar Lallu and Bhakta Charan Das, affirming that the agitation would continue until Soumyashree’s family receives justice and systemic reforms are introduced.

The bandh marks one of the strongest joint opposition actions since the new state government assumed power, underscoring the growing political pressure on the Majhi-led administration to address women’s safety and institutional accountability.