Bhubaneswar, Sept. 23 -- Tension ran high at the Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar today as Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers attempted to gherao the Odisha Legislative Assembly, leading to a clash with the police.

The BJD workers broke barricades and headed towards the Assembly, during which a scuffle ensued between them and the police.

Water cannons were deployed by the police to disperse the agitators.

The protest was aimed at highlighting the alleged curtailment of powers of elected representatives under the three-tier Panchayati Raj system. Protesters, including sarpanches, ward members, committee members, Zilla Parishad members, block chairpersons, and district council chiefs, demanded the strengthening of local governance.

During the agitat...