Puri: A group clash near Biswal Sahi Chhak in Balanga Bazar under Balanga Police Station limits in Puri district left several persons injured and led to the arrest of seven people, police said on Tuesday.
According to police, two separate cases have been registered in connection with the incident. In Balanga PS Case No. 144, four persons were arrested. They have been identified as Prafulla Kumar Sahoo (52), Raghunath Pradhan (45), Debashis Parida (22), and Ambika Prasad Sahoo (18), all residents of Pradhan Sahi village under Balanga Police Station.
In Balanga PS Case No. 145, three more persons were arrested. They have been identified as Sahil Khan (27), SK Abdul alias Raja (25), and Sanwar Khan (21), all residents of Jadupur, Dumduma, and Nayasahi areas under Khandagiri Police Station in Khordha district.
Police said the incident occurred on May 11, 2026 (Monday), when a group of youths from Bhubaneswar had come to Bayabar village under Balanga Police Station to attend a marriage ceremony. They were travelling in an XUV and a Thar vehicle.
The clash broke out between 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm when some members of the group stopped near a variety store at Biswal Sahi Chhak, Balanga Bazar to purchase gift envelopes and cold drinks. An altercation reportedly erupted between them and local youths over trivial issues and remarks related to the vehicles.
The verbal exchange soon escalated into a physical confrontation between both groups. Police said members from both sides allegedly abused, assaulted, and criminally intimidated each other using hands and broken glass bottles. Several persons sustained injuries in the scuffle, including one who suffered bleeding injuries to his hand due to broken glass pieces.
The situation further escalated when the Thar vehicle was allegedly damaged due to brick and stone pelting during the incident. Locals later gathered at the spot and managed to bring the situation under control before police intervention.
All injured persons were shifted to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Police said further investigation into the incident is underway.
