Violence / Master Canteen Violence: 113 Arrested, 354 Vehicles Seized after Online Auto and Cab Drivers Clash with Police

Bhubaneswar, Aug 20: Tension gripped Bhubaneswar’s Master Canteen Square on Tuesday afternoon as a protest by online auto and cab drivers spiraled into violent clashes with police.

What began as a demonstration over various demands quickly turned into chaos, leaving more than 20 police personnel injured and several buses damaged.

According to officials, the unrest erupted around noon when hundreds of drivers suddenly turned aggressive, pelting stones at police and attacking public transport vehicles. The situation escalated rapidly, forcing police to resort to mild lathi‑charge to disperse the crowd.

Also read: Online Cab Drivers, Police Clash as Chaos Erupts in Bhubaneswar

Witnesses reported that over seven buses were vandalized during the stone‑pelting, while commuters were left stranded as traffic came to a standstill in the capital city.

Police later confirmed that 113 individuals were arrested and produced in court, while another 60 were released on good‑behaviour notices. In addition, 354 vehicles were seized in connection with the incident.

The Kharavel Nagar police station registered seven cases — two based on complaints from the public, four from employees of the state‑run ‘Mo Bus’ service, and one on the basis of a police report.

Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena stated that stringent action would be taken against those responsible. “Any person who takes the law into their own hands and creates unrest will face strict legal consequences. Even the seized vehicles may have their registrations cancelled,” he warned.

The clashes left more than 50 protesters injured during police action. Among those attacked were senior officers from the Capital police station, underscoring the intensity of the confrontation. For nearly an hour, Master Canteen resembled a battlefield before order was restored.

Transport Minister also condemned the violence, stressing, “No one has the authority to take the law into their own hands.”

The protest had been ongoing for several days, but Tuesday’s sudden escalation shocked residents. The aggressive behaviour of the drivers, described by locals as “dabangiri,” disrupted normal life and created panic in the busy commercial hub.