Two arrested for forcible ‘chanda’ collection in Odisha capital

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Oct 9:

Twin City Commissionerate Police today arrested two persons for their alleged involvement in forcible collection of Durga Puja chanda (donation) from a jewellery store in Odisha capital on October 5.

According to police, Harihara Barik and Mitu Swain of Santipali in Sahid Nagar area under Kharavel Nagar police limits have been arrested and forwarded to court today for their alleged involvement in the ‘chanda collection’.

The duo has been arrested based on the report filed by the owner of Subhas Jewellery Poonam Sahu, police sources said.

It may be recalled that some members of Satyanagar Durga Puja Committee on Wednesday had barged into the jewellery shop and allegedly abused and thrashed the staff when they didn’t give in to their demands to pay ‘chanda’.

The about a dozen strong group demanded Rs 5, 000 from the sales staff towards donation. When they expressed their inability to pay them the amount saying that their boss takes a call on this, the members allegedly hurled abuses and later thrashed them, while about 40-50 bystanders were watching it.

Following the complaint, police had procured the CCTV footage which led to the arrest of the two based on its findings.