BHUBANESWAR: Chaos prevailed at Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) office here on Thursday after a mob protesting a demolition drive, barged into its premise, vandalised property and threatened a senior official.
BMC, Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and General Administration (GA) Department jointly demolished 67 kiosks in Unit IV behind SAIL Office. The kiosks were a part of an illegal vending zone constructed over a drain maintained by BMC.
The vendors reportedly protested the demolition and sought more time to clear the area themselves. Despite repeated protests, the enforcement squad carried out the drive. After demolition, about 40 protestors barged into the Corporation office shouting slogans against Behera.
Apprehending threat to his life, Behera locked herself inside office room. While the protestors tried to break into her office, they were prevented by BMC corporators and officials. A tussle between the corporators and the protestors ensued. “It was a very frightening experience when they began banging at my office door,” Behera said. Police arrived after some time and arrested two protestors. A case has been registered under Section 427 and 34 of the IPC.