BJD Leaders Bobby Das, Pritiranjan Gharai Injured in Protest Clash Outside Lok Seva Bhawan

Bhubaneswar : Senior BJD leaders Pranab Prakash Das (popularly known as Bobby Das) and Pritiranjan Gharai were injured and hospitalised after a clash erupted during a protest outside the Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. The BJD workers had gathered to gherao the government office demanding justice for FM College student Soumyashree Bisi, who recently died after setting herself on fire.

According to reports, chaos broke out when police deployed water cannons and tear gas to prevent the protesters from breaching barricades on Lower PMG Road. In the process, Bobby Das sustained injuries after a tear gas shell struck his leg. He was immediately rushed to Apollo Hospital, where he is currently being treated in the ICU. Pritiranjan Gharai, who also suffered injuries, is undergoing treatment at Capital Hospital.

BJD women’s leader Sulata Deo was also hurt in the confrontation, along with several other party leaders including Sunil Mohanty, Biswa Mallik, Jitu Balabantray, and Sanjeev Mallik.

The protest, led by the BJD, was staged in response to the alleged inaction over the harassment complaint filed by Soumyashree against her college HoD. The party is demanding a compensation of ₹2 crore for her family, as well as the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.

Police have reportedly detained more than 100 BJD workers following the unrest. Tension continues to simmer in the capital as the political fallout of the student’s death intensifies.