Odisha: BJD demands closure in Bhubaneswar over alleged assault on army officer and his fiancée – News from India

The opposition BJD has announced a six-hour blockade in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on Tuesday to protest against the alleged attack on an army officer and his fiancée in custody. The blockade, or hartal, will last from 6 am to 12 noon.

BJD MP Arun Kumar Sahoo confirmed the decision to intensify the protest against police brutality at a press conference on Sunday.

“The incident of torture and sexual assault in custody has brought shame to Odisha,” said BJD vice president Debi Prasad Mishra, adding that party chief Naveen Patnaik was deeply shocked by the incident.

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On Friday, Patnaik demanded a judicial inquiry and a court-monitored probe into the matter by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The party has also sent a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu seeking her intervention.

The dispute stems from an incident in which the army officer and his fiancée were allegedly attacked at the Bharatpur police station when they went to file a complaint following a road rage incident. The fiancée claims she was sexually assaulted in custody and alleges that the army officer was illegally detained and tortured.

The aim of the strike is to hold the authorities accountable for alleged police misconduct.