Congress activists throw eggs at Odisha CM’s convoy

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, Feb 19: The activists of the youth and students’ wings of Congress showed black flags and threw eggs at Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s convoy while he was on his way to Vani Vihar to attend the annual function of Utkal University this afternoon.More than 100 Congress activists intercepted Patnaik’s cavalcade on the road in front of Keshari Talkies to highlight the problem of high youth unemployment in Odisha.The incident took place at around 5 pm and the police had a tough time to clear the road after which the Chief Minister’s convoy moved forward.While a large number of activists raised slogans against the Chief Minister with black flags in their hands many of them were seen throwing eggs and shoes at the Chief Minister’s car.Not a single egg, however, hit Patnaik as the windscreens of his car were closed.The policemen had to resort to lathi-charge to chase away the protestors when they managed to reach near Patnaik’s car.More than 20 Congress activists were taken into custody.The agitating activists announced that they would organise similar protests against Patnaik in different parts of the State in the future.Addressing the gathering at the Annual Day Celebration of Utkal University Students’ Union later, Patnaik announced that the State Government has sanctioned more than hundred crore rupees for infrastructural development of the university.He further announced that the State Government has decided to start a project to convert the university campus into a smart, energy efficient and eco-friendly campus similar to major universities of the world.A sum of Rs.30 crore will be spent on this project, he added.