Bhubaneswar: A Youth Congress rally in Bhubaneswar took a violent turn as members hurled eggs and tomatoes at police personnel during a scuffle at Rajmahal Square on Friday.
Tensions escalated when police intercepted Odisha Pradesh Youth Congress workers en route to ‘gherao’ the residence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to protest against unemployment.
Led by senior leaders such as Pradesh Youth Congress president Ranjit Patra, Indian Youth Congress President B.V. Srinivas, Jayadev Jena, and Suresh Kumar Routray, the rally marched from Master Canteen Square towards ‘Naveen Niwas’, the CM’s residence.
The protesters accused the state government of failing to address the issue of unemployment despite its 24-year tenure. Srinivas emphasized the demand for job creation, denouncing corruption and inflation in Odisha. He also criticized the migration of youths to other states for employment opportunities.
Asserting that their fight will persist, Srinivas announced plans for further protests, including ‘gherao’ demonstrations targeting ministers.
Former bureaucrat and Congress leader Bijay Patnaik lamented the lack of a democratic avenue to present demands to CM Patnaik, justifying the protest on the streets as a last resort for students and youths.
Approximately 100 protesters were detained by police for attempting to breach barricades and engaging in altercations with law enforcement personnel.