Odisha Governor orders Lokpal probe into Cong rally clash

The order came in response to the demand of Congress leaders who alleged that their workers and leaders were mercilessly beaten up by the police while they were holding a meeting at the Mahatma Gandhi Marg on September 6.

"Our people were beaten up by the police without any provocation," the Congress in a memorandum to the Governor had said. A delegation of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) led by its President Niranjan Patnaik had also met Bhandare at Raj Bhavan.

Sources said a copy of the Governor's order was sent to the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for information.

Congress had also called an Odisha Bandh on September 10 in protest against alleged police excess.

The violence during the Congress rally had drawn wide attention due to assault and alleged molestation of a woman constable by the mob.

The National Commission for Women was also probing into the incident and its member visited the city and met the injured woman cop.