Cuttack, Nov 7: The youth wing of the BJP today blocked the National Highway 5 near Madhupatna Square to protest against the alleged assault on a woman tehsildar of Bolgarh by Begunia BJD MLA Prashant Jagdev.

Niharika Nayak had lodged a police complaint against MLA Prashant Jagdev for allegedly assaulting her on duty on November 3. In her complaint, Nayak alleged that she was injured after Jagdev hurled a lantern at her during an altercation over an eviction drive at Ekadalia village on October 31.

The BJP Yuva Morcha accused chief minister Naveen Patnaik of shielding the MLA. The party activists staged a roadblock against revenue minister Bijayshree Routray for allegedly giving a clean chit to Jagdev.

Traffic on the national highway was paralysed following the demonstration that began around 11.45am at Madhupatna junction. Vehicles were stranded on either side of the busy junction because of the demonstration that continued for more than 25 minutes.

The traffic wing of police took nearly an hour to clear the rush.

"There was a long queue of vehicles from Madhupatna to Palamandap because of the road blockade. We were stranded with our family members for almost an hour," said Kishore Patnaik, a commuter.

The police took 15 BJP youth wing activists into preventive custody for blocking the national highway, said assistant commissioner of police Anil Mishra.

"The BJD has miserably failed to provide security to women in the state. It is unfortunate that a cabinet minister of the party gave a clean chit to Jagdev when the police inquiry against him is still under way. It is absolutely clear from this that the BJD is trying to shield its MLA," said vice-president of BJP Yuva Morcha Sikandar Ali.

In solidarity with the woman officer, the BJP has demanded immediate arrest of Jagdev.

"We had staged a demonstration to seek immediate resignation of minister Bijayshree Routray and Jagdev's arrest. We will strengthen our agitation if no action is taken against them," Ali added.