Group clash triggers tension in Cuttack, 27 arrested

CUTTACK: Tension ran high in the City on Thursday following a group clash between the residents of Sarbodaypur and Rajabagicha Sweeper Colony under Badambadi police limits. Eight persons, including three cops, were injured in the clash.According to police, the clash was result of a long-standing border dispute between residents of the two localities. A minor disturbance had also occurred during the recent immersion ceremony of Goddess Durga but police intervened and brought the situation under control.

However, things went out of control on Thursday when a person of Sarbodaypur, going on a motorcycle, lost balance and hit an elderly person of Rajabagicha Sweeper Colony before falling down on the road. IIC of Badambadi police station Biranchi Narayan Pati said following the accident, an exchange of words took place between two groups before erupting into a group clash.Though no one was injured in the clash, three youths of Rajabagicha Sweeper Colony manhandled the bike rider and accused him of rash driving. The rider informed the matter to people of his locality who confronted the opposition group, who were joined by some other residents of Rajabagicha Labour colony. They were engaged in pelting stones, bricks and glass bottles. The spot virtually turned into a battlefield for about an hour from 11.30 am. More than five persons were injured and three auto-rickshaws besides a jeep damaged.

Senior police officials including Commissioner of Police YB Khurania and Cuttack DCP Akhilesvar Singh rushed to the spot along with police force to restore normalcy. When the situation went out of control and three cops sustained injuries, police resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the angry mob.
The injured cops are IIC of Badambadi police station Biranchi Narayan Pati, constable Himansu Ratha and IIC, Purighat police station Tapas Kumar Pradhan.

Later, residents of Sarbodaypur staged a road blockade on Rajabagicha-Khannagar road demanding action against Rajabagicha Sweeper Colony residents. The blockade was called off after police intervention.
Police arrested 27 persons from both sides and a section of force has been deployed to prevent further untoward incident, Pati informed. “We are examining the visuals and will round up whoever is found involved in the clash,” said Akhilesvar.