Sambalpur: Senior BJP leader Jayanarayan Mishra was on Wednesday allegedly caught on camera pushing a woman cop as the party workers jostled with police personnel during a dharna over deteriorated law and order situation in Odisha’s Sambalpur.
According to sources, a scuffle ensued between workers of the saffron party and police when the former took out a huge rally from Ashapali School and were waylaid while attempting to gherao the Collector’s office. Jayanarayan, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, was seen shouting at the Dhanupali police station IIC Anitarani Pradhan and threatening to slap her.
In the video, the cop can also be seen instinctively raising her hands at the MLA after being pushed. “He started hurling abuses at me and then slapped me as I was trying to make my way out and allow male cops to take charge as the women activities of the BJP had withdrawn and their male colleagues had joined the protest,” she said, adding that she would lodge a complaint against Jayanarayan at Town police station.
The legislator, however, claimed that the woman IIC had intentionally shoved him and also alleged that she was involved in corrupt practices. “She stomped on my feet and pushed me twice. First when we reached the spot and again when I mocked her for being a corrupt officer,” he told the media.
Jayanarayan also questioned the behaviour of police toward the Leader of Opposition. “I was initially sitting on a chair. I stood up seeing the women activists being mistreated by police. We were here to protest against the deteriorating law and order situation and this incident clearly indicates the prevailing atmosphere in the state. I suspect that she might have acted at someone’s behest,” he added.
Sambalpur SP Battula Gangadhar told the media that he has sought a report on the incident on basis of which an inquiry will be conducted and accordingly action will be taken.
