Excise Officer Assaulted During Late-Night Crackdown on 155 Bars in Bhubaneswar
Excise Officer Assaulted During Massive Raid on 155 Bars Across Bhubaneswar: A large-scale late-night enforcement drive by the Excise Department across Bhubaneswar led to raids at 155 bars, pubs, clubs and beer parlours, during which an excise officer was allegedly assaulted in the Chandrasekharpur area.
According to sources, the coordinated inspections were conducted on Saturday night following specific inputs that several establishments were operating beyond permitted hours and flouting licence and safety norms. Teams were deployed across the city to verify compliance with excise regulations, including operating timings and mandatory conditions.
Tension escalated during an inspection at a bar under the Chandrasekharpur police station limits, where a group of individuals allegedly resisted the officials. Despite the excise officer being in uniform, the inspection was reportedly obstructed, and the situation soon turned violent, resulting in an alleged physical assault on the officer.
A formal complaint was later lodged at the Chandrasekharpur police station. Police officials confirmed that two persons have been detained and questioned in connection with the incident, while further investigation is underway to identify others involved in the attack.
Officials said several establishments were found violating prescribed norms during the citywide checks, and action was initiated under relevant provisions of the excise laws.
The intensified enforcement comes in the wake of growing safety concerns, particularly after a major fire broke out at a bar in Bhubaneswar’s Satya Vihar area on Friday morning. Chief Fire Officer Ramesh Majhi stated that the Fire Services control room received an alert at 8:50 am, following which two fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Firefighters reached the location by 9:15 am and managed to bring the blaze under control after nearly an hour.
Authorities indicated that such inspections will continue to ensure public safety and strict adherence to excise and fire safety regulations across the city.
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