Bhubaneswar: Expressing strong concern over police action against Biju Janata Dal (BJD) activists protesting in Bhubaneswar, Leader of Opposition and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik termed the crackdown “inhuman.”

The BJD leaders and supporters were staging a peaceful protest at Lower PMG in the capital, demanding justice over the death of Soumyashree Bisi, a female student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Patnaik alleged police resorted to unprovoked violence against the demonstrators, causing injuries to both party workers and the general public.

The Leader of Opposition also spoke over the phone with injured party members, Member of Parliament Sulata Deo, former Minister Pranab Prakash Das, and Pritiranjan Ghadei, to inquire about their health and wished them a speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan urged Opposition parties to refrain from politicising the incident. He stated despite repeated appeals from Soumyashree’s parents, political parties were attempting to extract political mileage from the tragedy.

Without naming individuals, the Minister said, “When Soumyashree was alive, they made jibes at her. Now, raising demands for justice after her death seems opportunistic.”

Harichandan further accused the Opposition of misleading the public and maintained the investigation will reveal all associations. “Even those indirectly involved will come under the purview of the probe,” he asserted.

He added the state government is closely monitoring the situation in educational institutions across Odisha. The campus committees will be reconstituted to improve student welfare and safety. As part of its response, the government has already suspended and arrested two employees of FM College.

Soumyashree Bisi, 20, had staged a protest outside FM College in Balasore, alleging harassment by the Head of the Department of Education, Samira Kumar Sahu.

Despite filing a formal complaint, she reportedly received no redressal from the college administration.

In a tragic turn, she attempted self-immolation outside the principal’s office. Initially rushed to Balasore Medical College and later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, she succumbed to her injuries late on July 14, having sustained over 90% burns.

The incident has triggered widespread public outrage and led to political protests, prompting legal and administrative action including the arrest and suspension of the HoD and the college principal.