Odisha: Black flags shown to Naveen Patnaik by Youth Congress activists

Bhubaneswar, Feb 19: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was today shown black flags by Youth Congress activists at the Sachivalaya Marg here. The incident took place when Patnaik along with BJD MP Prasanna Patsani was on his way to attend the annual function of the students' union at Vani Vihar in Utkal University campus.

Though there were security personnel in small groups by the road side, the activists shouting anti-Patnaik slogans outnumbered them and took them by surprise.

They rushed close to Patnaik's vehicle, waved black flags, tried to throw eggs and were driven away by the security personnel, police said. Patnaik was escorted safely from the spot without any damage to his vehicle, the police said, adding that none was arrested in this connection so far.

Shouting slogans against the BJD government and Patnaik, the Youth Congress agitators said they were protesting against the chief minister's alleged inability to speak and read Odia despite holding the chair for one-and-a-half decades.

They claimed that the Patnaik government has failed to fulfil its promises and the youths were suffering due to growing unemployment in the state.

"We are examining the incident and action will be taken accordingly," a senior police officer said, adding that there was no prior intelligence input regarding possible disturbance during the chief minister's visit to Utkal University campus.

PTI