A video of an Odisha police officer instructing his personnel to "break the legs" of protestors has gone viral, sparking controversy and drawing criticism. The incident occurred during a Congress party protest near the residence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in Bhubaneswar. The protestors were demonstrating against alleged mismanagement and negligence following a stampede during the Rath Yatra in Puri, which resulted in three deaths.

In the video, Bhubaneswar Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Narasingha Bhol is seen pointing towards a barbed wire barricade and instructing the police personnel: "If anybody reaches here, break their leg. Don't catch them, just break their legs. We are standing there [some distance away] to catch them. Whoever breaks a leg, come to me and take a reward".

The statement immediately drew strong condemnation, with many questioning the appropriateness of such language from a senior officer. Critics argued that it promoted excessive force and violated the rights of citizens to peacefully protest.

In response to the uproar, ACP Narasingha Bhol stated that his remarks were taken out of context. He clarified that the order was to detain unruly protestors at the first barricade itself. He further added that the instruction to "break their legs" was only applicable if protestors breached the final barricades, suggesting that at that point, they would have already broken the law by becoming part of an unlawful assembly. According to Bhol, in such a situation, the police are authorized to use maximum force to stop the unlawful assembly. "The order was to detain unruly protesters at the first barricade itself. However, if somebody breached the two barricades and went beyond them, then that person has already broken the law. He is part of an unlawful assembly," Bhol said. "We are free to apply maximum force to stop unlawful assembly".

The Odisha government has initiated an administrative investigation into the Puri stampede. State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced that Development Commissioner Anu Garg would submit a report to the Chief Minister within 30 days. The Law Minister assured that the state government would take strict action against those found responsible for the tragic incident.

This incident comes at a time when police conduct is under increased scrutiny. Just recently, a BJP MP rescued a man who had been illegally detained and inhumanely treated at a police station in Balasore district, Odisha. The Bhograi police station inspector was suspended for gross misconduct and dereliction of duty.