Cong activists try to break-in jail to free leader in Odisha

Congress activists today attempted to barge into the sub-jail at Umerkote demanding release of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee Vice-President Pradeep Majhi who has been put behind the bars.
Hearing of the bail application filed for former MP Majhi, 18 other party leaders and workers is slated to come up before the Sub-judge on Friday.
The party had earlier decided to stage "jail bharo" agitation demanding release of Majhi, who has been arrested on charge of attacking government offices during an agitation.
The jail bharo agitation was held a day after yesterday's 12-hour bandh in the district, police said.
Congress workers took out a march from DNK and shouted slogans against the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and BJD government en route to the sub-jail, police said.

The agitators also burnt the effigy of Chief Minister in front of the sub-jail.

Executive Magistrate Tarini Suna, SDPO Gopinath Manipatro, police Inspector Birendra Senapati along with four platoons of police force were present at the sub-jail when the protestors arrived.
A clash ensued when the police tried to disperse them.
The police detained Block Mahila Congress President Pankajani Patnaik, councillor Santula Dharua, Rajendra Naik, Kuna Naik, Gokul Patnaik, Tambudas Panka, Kunu Santra, Mrutunjaya Kirtanya and Radhika Harijan and other 31 party workers. They were later released on personal bond.
Meanwhile Majhi, Raighar Block Congress President Jotindra Gond, Umerkote Block Congress President P Ravana Rao, Adivasi Cell President Akhilo Bhatra and Muna Tripathy are on fast inside the Umerkote Sub-jail demanding land patta for tribals and a fresh survey to identify eligible beneficiaries for issuing ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

As the condition of Rao deteriorated, the jail authorities moved him to CHC for treatment.
The condition of the rest was stated to be stable.