Jagannath Pradhan Surrenders at DCP Office

BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan surrendered before the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Cuttack, on Thursday evening in connection with the reported assault on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahu. Pradhan, a resident of Jharsuguda Colony, appeared at the DCP’s office around 9:30 PM and was arrested shortly after.

Protests Erupt Outside DCP’s Office

Following Pradhan’s arrest, large-scale protests erupted outside the DCP’s office on Baramunda Road. Hundreds of BJP workers gathered at the spot, staging a road blockade, waving party flags, and raising slogans demanding Pradhan’s release. The demonstration led to severe traffic congestion in the area.

Roadblock Spreads to Vani Vihar Square

The protest intensified as some BJP supporters moved to Vani Vihar Square, a busy junction at the end of the national highway. The roadblock created massive traffic snarls on both the national highway and the adjoining service roads. Movement between Rasulgarh and Cuttack over the Vani Vihar overbridge came to a standstill, with vehicles stuck in long queues for more than 30 minutes.

Police Engagement and Resolution

Anticipating possible unrest, police had already deployed a significant force near the DCP office. Senior officers engaged with the demonstrators, assuring them that Jagannath Pradhan would be treated fairly and urging them to clear the roads for regular traffic flow. After nearly 30 minutes of standoff, the protesters relented and dispersed, allowing traffic to resume.

Medical Check-Up and Police Statement

Pradhan was later taken to Capital Hospital for a routine medical examination. The police clarified that no untoward incidents took place during the protests and that the law and order situation was effectively managed.

BJP Alleges Bias, Police Promise Fair Probe

Meanwhile, BJP leaders have alleged that Pradhan was being unfairly targeted, claiming that the incident involved multiple individuals and that Ratnakar Sahu was also part of the scuffle. The police, however, maintained that the matter is under investigation and that the law will take its due course.

The incident has added a new layer of tension between the BJP and the local administration, highlighting the increasingly confrontational nature of state-level politics in Odisha.

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