Bhubaneswar, March 27 -- Tensions were high in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on Thursday as police resorted to lathi charge to disperse Odisha Congress workers during their protest outside the Odisha Assembly against the suspension of 14 Congress MLAs from the House and crime against women.

Protests turned violent as police used water cannons against the protestors. In resistance, Congress workers pelted chairs at the police.

On March 26, Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy suspended 12 Congress MLAs from the House for seven days on charges of "indiscipline, disrespecting the Chair, and violating rules" after they protested in the House's well on the same issue.

Odisha Minister Prithviraj Harichandan lashed out at the opposition for the clashe...