Women Congress activists burn Naveen's effigy

Bhubaneswar, Apr 7 (UNI) Demanding a CBI inquiry into the alleged sexual harassment case against former Speaker Maheswar Mohanty, hundreds of women Congress activists today staged a demonstration here and burnt Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in effigy.

The women activists under the leadership of Orissa Pradesh Mahila Congress president Asima Mahananda also demanded immediate arrest of the former Speaker.

Suspended Lady Assistant Marshal Gayatri Panda filed an FIR in the Bhubaneswar Mahila police station, alleging sexual harassment by Mr Mohanty.

However, the former Speaker, who resigned his post in the wake of the hue and cry over the incident, denied the allegation and described it as a conspiracy to defame him.

The state government had requested the State Human Rights Commission to inquire into the allegation.

The women activists also demanded the Chief Minister to step down.

They alleged that Mr Mohanty had not yet been arrested as the Chief Minister was protecting him.

Earlier, the women activists marched in a procession from the Congress Bhawan to the PMG Square, shouting anti-government slogan.

UNI BD-DP SJC DB1714