Bhubaneswar: Hours after an armed mob wreaked havoc at Market Building in Unit-II area of Bhubaneswar, the Commissionerate Police conducted raids at several places in the city & nearby areas last night to nab as many as 18 persons in connection with the violence so far.
Out of them, 12 accused are minors who have been arrested. However, the mastermind is yet to be arrested.
Reports said the number of arrests may also rise as cops are also investigating the CCTV cameras installed inside and outside the market complex area to identify the assailants. Interrogation of the assailants is also underway to make further headway into the case, said police sources.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Sudhansu Sarangi ruled out the involvement of any gang behind the violence at Market Building and said that 21 accused have been identified.
Yesterday, around 20 to 30 masked and armed miscreants went on ransacking spree and allegedly attacked many traders and destroyed more than 100 shops inside the market premises.
Though the exact reason behind the attack is yet to be ascertained, the Twin City Police through a tweet informed two customers were allegedly misbehaved by a shop owner last evening. Later, the two customers called for help and reportedly attacked the shop owner which spiralled into a group clash. The cops also informed that most of the attackers are students.
"The attack was sudden but now that many of them have been arrested, we want compensation for the loss we incurred during the incident," said a shopkeeper.
Raising concern about the incident, a visitor said, "There is no safety for those who visit the market. Police should take strict against these unsocial elements."
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