Launching a polemic against the Odisha Police, Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jayanarayan Mishra on Friday said he is not one to turn the other cheek like Mahatma Gandhi.
“She (Dhanupali police station IIC) was not on duty. Why she came to us and crushed my leg which was not recorded by cameras? I am a common man and not Mahatma Gandhi. So I wouldn’t put out my other leg to be crushed. When she crushed my leg I just pulled my leg asking her to get off my leg. Then she punched me, leading to an argument,” said Mishra.
“Police can commit triple murder in Mahanga. Police can kill Mamata Meher and the prime accused in the case. Police can book others in Pari case. I will tender an apology only when the Chief Minister says it that police can do anything and those who can’t tolerate police atrocities can leave the State,” said Mishra.
Regarding former IPS officer and BJD leader Arup Patnaik’s veiled attack on him, Mishra said, “We are well aware of his roles during the protest launched by Bangladeshis in Bombay (now Mumbai) and Pune land scam. If you are capable of murdering a cabinet minister and then concealing the entire episode, he can attack me as I am a common man. If he says he would kill me at a particular place, then I am also ready. If someone can say like this, people should understand how the government is ruling the State and how he became an IPS officer.”
On the other hand, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader MP Munna Khan said he (Mishra) has to apologise for misbehaving with a lady cop. Or else, the ongoing agitation against them (BJP) would be intensified.
“His nature is like that. He will never apologise. He is very short-tempered and attacks people. Instances are many. He is also not known for behaving well with others while inside the Assembly. So we condemn strongly the way he misbehaved with the lady cop,” added Khan.
Notably, BJP members led by LoP Mishra had on Wednesday taken out a massive rally from Ashapali School under Dhanupali police limits in Sambalpur district, protesting against the alleged deteriorating law and order situation in the State. When the party members tried to gherao the Collector’s office, the police resisted them leading to a scuffle between Mishra and Dhanupali police station IIC Anita Pradhan.