BMC Officials ‘Held Hostage’ By Bar Staffers In Bhubaneswar; Here’s What Happened

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Bhubaneswar: A team of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials were literally “barred” from carrying out a raid at Chandrasekharpur in the city.

According to BMC sources, the team had gone to raid two bars — Booze Buzz Inhouse and Upre Kitchen & Café — in a business establishment.

However, staffers of the two bars disconnected power supply to the lift in the building. As a result, the raiding team including a top civic official was stuck in the lift for over 40 minutes on Saturday night.

Confirming the incident, BMC Deputy Commissioner (South-East Zone) Anshuman Rath said the bars violated COVID norms by staying open after 10.30 pm. The bar staffers got wind of the raid and intentionally cut off power supply, added Rath, who was one of those stuck in the lift.

Later, other BMC officials and police reached the spot and rescued the trapped officials. They found customers dining and drinking liquor. The bar staffers also allegedly thrashed policemen and tore their uniforms.

Police have detained four bar staffers including a guard in this regard. BMC has sealed the two bars for an indefinite period.