Bhubaneswar: Protesting the alleged harassment of Fakir Mohan (FM) Autonomous College student Soumyashree Bisi, who died after attempting self-immolation, many Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders and workers today tried to gherao the Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.

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

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

BJD leaders Pritiranjan Gharai, Sulata Deo and Pranab Prakash Das reportedly sustained injuries in the incident.

"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.

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The party today also observed an eight-hour bandh (6 AM to 2 PM) in Balasore district over the alleged harassment of the student.

Workers of the party staged road blockades at various places in the district by burning tyres, affecting vehicular movement. Shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed in view of the bandh observance. However, emergency services were excluded from the ambit of the bandh.

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.