Water cannons fired as BJD workers try to storm Odisha Assembly in Bhubaneswar

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) staged a high-octane protest outside the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, voicing strong opposition to the alleged curtailment of powers of elected representatives under the three-tier Panchayati Raj system.

The demonstration saw participation from senior BJD leaders along with Sarpanches, Ward Members, Committee Members, Zilla Parishad members, Block Chairpersons, and Zilla Parishad Chairpersons, highlighting the scale of the agitation. 

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The protest turned intense as party workers attempted to push forward towards the Odisha Assembly premises, leading to a dramatic confrontation with the police. Several BJD workers were also detained during the protest.

Protesters broke through two barricades along Gandhi Marg, resulting in scuffles and a tense stand-off with law enforcement personnel. 

The police deployed water cannons to control the crowd and prevent the protest from spilling onto the main road. Amid the chaos, some protesters tried to force their way closer to the Assembly, prompting further action from security forces.

Despite the high drama, no serious injuries were reported. Authorities maintained a strong police presence in and around the Assembly area throughout the protest. Several roads leading to the legislature were temporarily closed to manage traffic and ensure safety.

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Till the last report came in, the agitation was still underway, with protesters continuously raising slogans and demanding that the Odisha government address their concerns about the powers and autonomy of local representatives.