Bhubaneswar's Lok Seva Bhawan on High Alert Amid Protests Following Student's Tragic Death

Increased Security Measures at Lok Seva Bhawan
Bhubaneswar: On Wednesday, security protocols were heightened at the Lok Seva Bhawan, the state secretariat, in response to protests organized by the BJD regarding the recent death of a college student in Balasore district.
Members of the BJD began assembling at Master Canteen Square early in the day, preparing to march towards the Lok Seva Bhawan to stage a gherao.
The student, a second-year B.Ed candidate from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar on Monday night after battling for her life for three days. She had reportedly set herself ablaze on campus on Saturday due to alleged inaction against a professor accused of sexual harassment.
Authorities indicated that they were monitoring the assembly using drones and had deployed a significant number of personnel along the routes leading to the secretariat.
The BJD is also enforcing an eight-hour bandh in Balasore district, demanding a judicial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In addition to the Lok Seva Bhawan, security was reinforced at other government buildings in the area, including Rajiv Bhavan and Kharavela Bhavan, according to police reports.
Police Commissioner S Dev Datt Singh was present near Lok Sabha Bhavan to supervise the security measures.
Officials stated that employees were permitted entry into Lok Seva Bhawan only after thorough identity verification.
Access is restricted to Gate no 1, with all other entrances closed. Visitor access has also been limited, although individuals with prior appointments are being granted entry passes based on departmental recommendations.