Bhubaneswar: Over 50 Students Congress activists were detained after a scuffle with the police during a protest against the killing of five innocent villagers in Kandhamal here today.
According to reports, hundreds of Students Congress activists took out a bike rally from Congress Bhawan at Master Canteen Square in the morning demanding immediate suspension and arrest of IG, Southern Range, Amitabh Thakur in connection with the death of five innocent villagers who were killed during an anti-Maoist operation inside Malapanga forest near Kurtamgarh in Kandhamal district on July 8 night.
After the rally reached Sishu Bhawan, Students Congress activists led by the president Itish Pradhan, shouted anti-government slogans and burnt the effigy of the chief minister. Tension prevailed in the area after the agitating students scuffled with the police. Police later detained over 50 activists, including Pradhan.
Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi said over 50 Students Congress activists were detained after they tried to break the cordon at Sishu Bhawan Square.
“The situation is under control. We are keeping a close watch to ensure that there would be no untoward incident, he said.
Pradhan said the villagers were indiscriminately shot dead by the police. "In a bid to hush up the case, the Odisha government has paid a paltry compensation to the families of the deceased to keep their mouth shut. Why has the IG, Central Range, not yet been arrested? The Students Congress will continue its agitation till he is arrested,” he told media persons.