Bhubaneswar, Aug 20: Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra on Thursday strongly condemned the violence and vandalism that erupted during an agitation by auto-rickshaw drivers in Bhubaneswar, asserting that those responsible for damaging public property and attacking citizens would face stringent action.

The Minister said auto drivers involved in the violence would be made to compensate for the losses caused by the agitation. He further warned that illegal auto stands associated with those involved in the unrest would be demolished.

“Agitators cannot take the law into their own hands and attack ordinary citizens. Violence and vandalism in the name of protest will not be tolerated,” Mahapatra said.

He added that strict action would be initiated against those responsible for damaging government vehicles. The licences of auto-rickshaw drivers found involved in vandalism would also be cancelled, he said.

The situation turned tense after hundreds of auto drivers took out a procession from Master Canteen towards Lower PMG and blocked the road. The protest escalated following alleged stone-pelting on police personnel, leaving 16 policemen injured.

Police resorted to a lathi-charge around 1 pm to bring the situation under control. Several protesters were also injured, while one unconscious person was admitted to Capital Hospital. Reports said 11 police vans were damaged. A heavy police deployment was made at Master Canteen and Gandhi Marg to prevent further escalation.

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