Several BJP activists and over a dozen police personnel sustained injuries as they clashed near the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday during a demonstration by the saffron party to protest against the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

A scuffle ensued between the two sides as the police tried to prevent the BJP workers from marching towards the Assembly. The budget session of the state Assembly is currently underway.

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) lashed out at the BJP accusing it of enacting a drama to remain in limelight. The party said that such stunts were unlikely to affect the popularity of chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

As many as 15 police personnel including three inspector-rank officers and an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) sustained injuries during the scuffle.

Commissioner of police Saumendra Priyadarshi said: “We tried to act with utmost restraint during the agitation near the Odisha Assembly. But the BJP workers attacked the police. Many of those injured have sustained head injuries. The injured include ACP Amitabh Mohapatra. We will register cases against those who indulged in violence. We have also detained a number of BJP workers.”

Priyadarshi visited the hospital and met the injured police personnel. Deputy commissioner of police Prateek Singh said: “Five police vehicles were damaged. The agitators had brought kerosene to set the vehicles on fire. It clearly proves that the attack on the police was pre-planned.”

“We are monitoring the CCTV footage and based on the footage, the action will be taken,” said another senior police official.

The BJP Yuva Morcha had organised the protest rally over the alleged deterioration of the law and order situation and the government’s failure to solve the mystery behind the death of health minister Naba Kishore Das and other murder cases.