Congress promises peaceful protest today

After coming under severe criticism for the unruly behavior of its workers at an anti-government congregation here, the Congress, the main opposition party in the state, has promised to display a restrained demeanor during the 12-hour bandh called by the party tomorrow to protest the police excesses at the Thursday’s rally.

The Congress rally had turned violent when some party workers tried to break the security barricade and enter the assembly premises leading to bloody clashes with police.

Even as the police used water cannons, tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, some Congress workers brutally beat up a lady constable, the visuals of which in the electronics media invited lot of criticism from social activists across the country much to the embarrassment of the party.

Scores of people were injured in the clash who included some policemen and media persons.

The Congress, meanwhile, apologised for the attack on the lady constable, but disowned the culprits who indulged in violence. “It was the handiwork of some lumpen lements who were more of ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD)”, the party leadership said.

”We condemn the violence on policemen but at the same time one must see that Congress workers were also attacked. We demand an impartial probe of the matter”, Narasimha Mishra, a senior congress leader said.

Meanwhile, police have registered FIRs against Congress’ Odisha observer Jagdish Tytler for delivering provocative speeches and Niranjan Patnaik, president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) for organizing the event.

The Congress has also filed counter complains regarding the offensive of the security forces against its workers during the rally which are yet to accepted by the police. “If the police do not register our complaint soon, we will seek legal recourse,” Mishra said.

He, however, assured that the September 10 protest would be peaceful. “Emergency services, media workers will not be prohibited during the bandh”.

On the issue of attack on the lady constable, he said, there was doubt on the police intention as it did not follow the guidelines in deployment of force to control such large gatherings as the rally of September 6. Article 129, clause 2 of the criminal procedure (CrPC) bars deployment of lady police on the frontline to disperse crowd, he said.