Bottles pelted at cops during group clash in Odisha’s Cuttack

Cuttack: Days after Durga Puja ended peacefully and people in Odisha’s Cuttack vowed to maintain the brotherhood, a group clash between two sahis (colonies) erupted today once again putting the image of the Millennium City at stake.

According to reports, as many as 25 persons including some women were arrested following a clash between Sarvodaypur near Badambadi and Sweeper colony over parking issue this afternoon.

The irate people threw glass bottles and stones at each other which left many injured.

On being informed, Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner Y.B. Khurania and Cuttack DCP Akhileswar Singh rushed to the spot along with one platoon of force.

The police had a tough time trying to bring the situation under control as the angry mob started pelting glass bottles on the cops.

The attackers damaged seven vehicles, including one Jeep, three auto-rickshaws and three bikes.

Two police personnel – Badambadi Inspector-In-Charge Biranachi Narayan Pati and Purighat IIC Tapas Chandra Pradhan were injured in the attack.

Sources said there was a dispute between the two groups in the past too but the matter turned worse today after one made a comment on another over parking in the area.

Meanwhile, the situation in the area is normal now and one platoon force is deployed at the spot to avoid any further flare up.

“Preliminary report suggests the incident took place due to passing comments and we will arrest all those who are involved in the matter,” said Police Commissioner Y.B. Khurania.