Bhubaneswar: Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Pranab Prakash Das today reportedly sustained injuries as police used rubber bullets and tear gas against the party workers while they were trying to gherao the Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, protesting the alleged harassment of Fakir Mohan (FM) Autonomous College student Soumyashree Bisi, who died after attempting self-immolation.

As per reports, a tear gas shell hit one of the legs of Das, leaving him injured. He was admitted to the ICU of Apollo Hospital here for treatment.

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Apart from Das, BJD leader Pritiranjan Gharai also sustained injuries in the incident. He was admitted to the ICU of Utkal Hospital here for treatment.

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Several other BJD leaders, Sulata Deo, Pramila Mallik, Sunil Mohanty, Biswa Mallik, Jitu Balabantray, and Sanjeev Mallik, were also admitted to Apollo Hospital for treatment.

"Police used tear gas and rubber bullets against our leaders and workers. Our senior leader Pranab Prakash Das was injured. He has been hospitalised. Pritiranjan Gharai and Sulata Deo were also injured and hospitalised. Many workers were also hurt. The government is trying to suppress a protest in a democracy. This is unforgivable," said BJD leader Arun Kumar Sahoo.

"Soumyashree had drawn the attention of the Chief Minister, the Higher Education Minister, and the local MLA & MP on social media. They didn't pay any attention. If a judicial probe is not ordered into the matter and the police continue to conduct the investigation, the cops won't take any action against the elected representatives," said Sahoo.

While heading towards the Lok Seva Bhawan, the BJD workers broke the barricades erected on the Lower PMG road, during which an intense scuffle ensued between them and the cops.

In a bid to take the situation under control and disperse the agitators, police used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon. Later, police detained scores of BJD leaders and workers.

"The state government forced Soumyashree to attempt self-immolation. For the first time, we are gheraoing the State Secretariat. We also warn the government that our protest will intensify in the coming days. Our fight will continue till the government resigns and a judicial probe is ordered into the matter," said senior BJD leader Sanjay Kumar Das Burma before being detained by the police from the spot.

The regional party is demanding a judicial probe into the matter by a sitting High Court judge. It has also sought the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, holding them morally accountable for the tragic incident.