BJD calls for Bhubaneswar Bandh to protest assault on Army officer, fiancée

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has announced a bandh in Bhubaneswar on September 24 to protest the alleged assault of an Army officer and his fiancée at a local police station.

The bandh will last for six hours, from 6 AM to 12 PM, as a means to intensify their opposition to the police’s treatment of Major Gurvansh Singh Gosa and his fiancée, Ankita Pradhan, who visited the Bharatpur Police Station on September 15.

BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra made the announcement during a press conference, emphasizing the party’s commitment to seeking justice.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage across political lines, with leaders from various parties demanding strict action against the involved police officers.

On Saturday, BJD’s women members protested outside the Governor’s House, criticizing the current BJP government over the incident.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi voiced their concerns about the overall law and order situation in India, particularly in states governed by the BJP.

Rahul Gandhi described the incident as a serious indictment of the country’s law enforcement, calling it “shameful” that an officer seeking help was brutally assaulted, while his fiancée faced mistreatment in custody.