By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, March 1, 2015 :

The Odisha Pradesh Congress Unit (PCC) will launch a series of agitations against the Naveen Patnaik government across the state.

The party will gherao the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) office in Cuttack on March 4 in protest against the “illegal” arrest of party youth leaders in connection with egg and stone pelting at the chief minister’s vehicle on February 19, according to OPCC president Prasad Harichandan,

Activists of Youth Congress threw eggs and waved black flags at Patnaik’s cavalcade while he was on his way to Utkal Universtiy here to attend the annual function of Utkal University. Police had resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the protesters

The party has formed a six-member committee to launch agitations on various issues. The committee is comprised of OPCC president Prasad Harichandan, former presidents Jaydev Jena and Niranjan Patnaik, Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Narasingha Mishra, Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra and Chiranjibi Biswal.

“The OCC has formed the committee to launch its agitation on some key issues to safeguard the interest of the state and its people. The committee would meet at regular intervals and decide the strategies for agitation. The agitation would begin from March 4 with the gherao of the office of the DGP,” senior Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati said on Sunday.

In fact, the OPCC had convened a meeting on Saturday where detail discussion was held on the road map for agitations.

The meeting among others was attended by the Zilla Parishad presidents, MLAs and senior party leaders.

“The meeting decided to oppose the visit of the chief minister Naveen Patnaik to various districts. We have asked the students and youth wings and the workers of our party to extend their whole-hearted support to this call,” said Congress chief whip in the State Assembly Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

Stating that the state government was not concerned about the problems of the students, unemployed youth and farmers, Congress leader Prakash Behera said the Congress was forced to launch statewide agitations.

“If necessary, the party will oppose the ministers and the chief minister at each place and wherever they go” Mr Behera said.