Bhubaneswar/Kendrapara, Aug. 7: The state government today shifted Kendrapara police superintendent Satish Gajbhiye to Cuttack - making him an officer without duty - following allegations of excessive police force against the demonstrators demanding arrest of self-styled spiritual leader Srimad Sarathi.

Superintendent of police (vigilance) Nitinjeet Singh has replaced Gajbhiye and inspector-general of police (central range) R.P. Koche has been asked to camp in Kendrapara to monitor the situation.

Allegations flew thick and fast that Gajbhiye had manhandled protesters and ordered the police to beat up innocent people. A former office-bearer of the Kendrapara Bar Association was apparently asked to do sit-ups in the presence of the police chief. Lawyers in Bhubaneswar have called for a cease work on Monday at the high court in protest against this. "Our general body has passed a resolution to boycott court proceedings on Monday following a request by the Kendrapada Bar Association," High Court Bar Association secretary B.K. Ragada said.

Last night, too, Gajbhiye was seen using force to disperse the crowd outside Srimad Sarathi Ashram at Barimula.

Nearly 70 people were injured as police baton-charged demonstrators and lobbed tear gas shells on them at Tinimunhani Square in Kendrapara.

When the situation escalated, the Kendrapara district administration imposed section 144 of CrPC that prohibits the congregation of five or more people.

Kendrapara district BJP president Duryodhan Sahu was arrested along with his supporters at the district headquarters town for allegedly creating law and order problems.

Bhagaban Jena, a senior citizen, said the police had beat up peaceful protestors and they retaliated.

In another development, a four-member team of state crime branch today began a "comprehensive probe" into the allegations levelled against the self-styled spiritual leader. The team, led by additional police superintendent S.K. Patnaik interrogated Sarathi. Consequently, the crime branch froze all his bank accounts.

A Congress delegation led by Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan visited Kendrapara and demanded the immediate arrest of Sarathi and sealing of his ashram.

A BJP delegation led by party president K.V. Singhdeo and senior leader Bijoy Mohapatra also visited the town and criticised the police action. Later, the BJP staged a demonstration near Ram Mandir Square in Bhubaneswar.

Senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra said: "Gajbhiye should immediately be arrested. He has a tainted career. He is the only police superintendent in Odisha who was interrogated by the CBI in connection with the money deposit-circulation scam. The chief minister owes an explanation on the issue."