Market Building violence: 16 more persons arrested in Odisha capital

Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate police arrested 16 more persons in connection with violence occurred at Market Building area in Bhubaneswar last night.

The police also seized five motorcycles. With fresh arrest, total 18 persons were apprehended in connection with the case.

According to reports, the Market Building located in heart of the Smart City Bhubaneswar turned into a terrifying place after a group of hooligans wearing mask on their faces vandalised shops and attacked vendors.

Police sources said that the incident occurred after two customers were allegedly misbehaved by a shopkeeper following which they called up their associates to take avenge.

Following phone calls, over a dozen of armed miscreants rushed to the market complex at around 6.30 pm and went on a rampage by attacking the shopkeeper and ransacking other shops and food stalls. Two persons were injured in the incident.

Around 30 youth were involved in the incident, out of which 21 persons have been identified so far, informed Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi today.

Total 18 persons have been arrested in violence at Market Building, of them 12 are minors. The accused persons included Madhab Pradhan, Rabindra Nayak, Chandan Das, K Santosh Kumar, Priyaranjan Das and Biswanath Pradhan.

A case has been registered against them for riot, creating violence in public place and breaking law and order.

“We are trying to nab other accused persons. The stringent action will be taken against the miscreants involved in the case,” Sarangi said.

However, the Commissionerate Police ruled out involvement of any gang in the incident.

Briefing the media today, Sarangi said that the incident took place a day after a squabble between two siblings and a shopkeeper over purchase of a watch at Market Building.

“On the same day, that matter was sorted out at the police station. Yesterday evening, a youth identified as Gopi and his associate Chintu and some of their friends had a heated argument with the same shopkeeper following which the violence occurred at the market complex. However, it’s unfortunate that most of the accused persons involved in the incident are school-goers. We will see how we will deal with the case,” Sarangi said.

Acting promptly, the police reached the place within 5 minutes of the incident to control the situation.

“Two persons were arrested from the spot and we managed to identify others with help of them,” he said.