Bhubaneswar/ Angul: Popular film and jatra artist Usasi Misra was beaten up, molested and manhandled by an irate mob while she was going to perform an opera show at Derang in Kaniha police limits in Angul district on Sunday night.

The entire jatra and cine world has demanded strong disciplinary action against the people involved in the attack.

Misra took the help of social media to narrate her ordeal. "I am using the social site to express my pain. Been manhandled n molested at Dereng while I had come to perform jatra. Sheer negligence of committee, eastern blue management, N local police ... beaten me.. Management people.. Co-artist n destroyed my car - here we talk of general women being safe - Where a media figure like me is not safe.. this man manhandled. Bad mouthed n tried to rip my clothes. I gave a good fight n saved my self," she posted on social media.

Misra, a leading actress of Eastern Blue Opera, a jatra party owned by BJD's new Rajya Sabha member Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, was going to perform in a show that was being staged as a part of the annual Chandan Jatra in the village.

Police said that before the jatra party staged its show, a procession was being held leading to the jatra venue. Misra, who was going to the venue in her car, got struck midway because of the procession. Seeing her inside the car, people who took part in the procession, jostled with each other to get a glimpse of her. Some of them also passed obscene remarks at her. Misra alleged that the offenders were all in an inebriated state.

One Indramani Sahu was leading the mob. Irked over the obscene remarks, Misra stepped out of the car and slapped Indramani. Then the two sons of Sahu rushed in and allegedly beat up Misra. They even dragged Misra by her hair. They did not even spare another jatra actor, Lawrence, who came forward to help the actress in distress.

"Seeing Usasi Apa in distress, I came forward. But, they did not even spare me," said Lawrence. They also ransacked the jatra materials before leaving the place.

Misra also admitted that she had slapped Sahu who had passed obscene remarks against her. "When I was going to the jatra spot last night, my route was obstructed by some people. Indramani Sahu of that village used foul and obscene language which irked me. In a fit of rage, I slapped him. Later his two sons barged in and beat me very badly and damaged my vehicle. They also misbehaved with me and tore my dresses. As this was happening in full view of people and I shouted for help, but no one came forward, "she wrote on Facebook.

Jatra party manager Madhu Sudan Pradhan also narrated how Sahu and his two sons had misbehaved with her. The three accused have since fled the village.

Pallahara sub-divisional police officer Yashwant Samal said: "There was jostling among villagers and someone from the crowd suddenly hit her. Upon being hit, Misra got infuriated and slapped a person. This triggered tension and the villagers did not allow the opera show to be preformed. Later, police reached the spot and brought the situation under control."

The police booked cases under various sections of the IPC such as 341 294 323 427 354A and 354B.

Cine star Archita said: "People should show respect to the actors and actresses. If they had any problem, they could have taken it up with the local management. But targeting a woman is not acceptable. Stringent punishment should be given to the accused."

Actor Sabyasachi said: "I appeal to people to raise their voice on the issue. People should come and enjoy the entertainment we are providing to them in a disciplined manner."