Bhubaneswar: A group of tourists from neighbouring Chhattisgarh had been allegedly thrashed inside Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar.
It has been alleged that some staff of the zoo and locals had attacked more than 20 visitors and five of them sustained critical injuries.
Reportedly, an altercation broke out near the ticket counter of the zoo on Sunday afternoon. Thereafter, the tourists from Chhattisgarh alleged that though they had bought tickets to visit all the safaris of the zoo, they were not allotted vehicles even after waiting for hours.
Following this, the heated argument later escalated and the zoo workers allegedly called about 50 locals who thrashed the tourists with steel rods near the safari counter.
Based on the allegation of the tourists, the local police detained three attackers.
Till the last reports came in, Nandankanan deputy director ordered a probe into the matter and asked a range security officer to submit a report.
Notably, strict action will be taken if it involves the involvement of the safari staff as licenses may also be revoked.
Kalinga AI