Vandalism inside bar in Bhubaneswar; 34 persons arrested, bus seized

The Commissionerate Police on Monday arrested 34 persons on the charges of vandalising property inside a club in Bhubaneswar on Saturday night.

As per reports, a students’ union leader linked to a particular political party had called the youths to the spot after he and his friends were allegedly not allowed inside the bar-cum-restaurant. Around 34 to 35 persons, mostly students and businessmen, had initially congregated at Baramunda bus stand for a picnic to Mayurbhanj.

After getting a call from one Sanjiv Swain, all the youths rushed to the bar and started vandalising it. Sources said that the youths initially wanted to enter the bar-cum-restaurant late Saturday night. However, they went on an attacking spree after they were not allowed inside the bar located under Chandrasekhar Police limits.

The incident had raised several concerns as Commissionerate Police claimed to have tightened security measures in the city ahead of the crucial Men's Hockey World Cup.

After ransacking property inside the bar-cum-restaurant, the accused youths fled the spot in a bus. It is alleged that Sanjiv Swain had lodged a complaint alleging assualt by the bar staff. 

Carrying out an investigation, Commissionerate Police has finally managed to arrest 34 persons in connection with the vandalism incident.

“We have arrested 34 persons in connection with the vandalism incident. All those arrested had come to the spot after getting a call from a person named Sanjiv Swain who along with others had initially picked up a quarrel with the bar and restaurant staff over entry,” said ACP (zone 6) Ramesh Bisoyi.

According to Bisoyi, further investigation in connection with the incident is underway.

(Reported by Alok Mohanty)