Odisha: Cops raid wedding venue for Covid rule violations

BALASORE: Guests fled from a wedding at Soro town in Balasore district on Sunday evening after police raided the venue for violation of Covid guidelines. Sources said a wedding was underway at Hotel Mangal Niketan on NH-16 near Chhapulia Chowk on Sunday evening with more than 200 attendees in violation of government guidelines on guest list. Acting on a tip-off, Soro police raided the venue. As soon as the police team reached the spot, the guests started fleeing.
Madhumita Mohanty, IIC Soro police station, said, "The groom from West Bengal had come to marry a girl from Soro municipality. More than 100 people from West Bengal and the bride's relatives were attending the event. As soon as the police team reached the spot, the guests fled."
The police team collected a fine of Rs 5,000 each from the hotel owner and the groom's family for violation of Covid guidelines. The team also warned them of action in accordance with the pandemic Act if more than 25 people gather at the venue.