Tytler booked for Odisha violence

Senior Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler, Niranjan Patnaik and several others were today arrested by the police in connection with the clash between party supporters and policemen during a rally in Bhubaneshwar that left over 260 people injured.

Tytler, Congress party in-charge of Odisha, however, sought to distance himself from the mob violence that broke out outside the state Assembly on Thursday, in which a lady constable was attacked, saying that he was not a part of any conspiracy and that the police were equally to blame.

"Different cases have been registered against several Congress leaders, including state Congress in-charge Jagdish Tytler and Niranjan Patnaik on various charges pertaining to Thursday's violence," deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Nitinjeet Singh said.

The police have booked Tytler and six others for attempt to murder, rioting and damage to public property. The first information reports (FIRs) were filed after the lady constable who was attacked during the violence claimed that Tytler incited the mob to attack her. The police have arrested 34 people so far in connection with the protests.

Tytler, however, said that the Congress would be filing a "counter-FIR" against police action on the protesting workers. "I am not a part of any conspiracy. Why only talk about the woman constable and not the Congress woman workers who got hit by the police?" he asked.

Meanwhile, the lady constable, who is recuperating in hospital, said she would not give up her fight against the culprits. She further said that she would not forgive Tytler even though he had apologised. "His apology is not going to alleviate the pain, is it?" she asked. "I do not accept the apology of Jagdish Tytler and hold him and Niranjan Patnaik (Odisha Congress president) responsible for the attack on me. I was brutally beaten and molested by the mob. I thought I would soon die. I demand strong action. I am in intense pain. However, after I recover, I will join duty and would face similar rallies and take action with courage," she said from her hospital bed.