Bhubaneswar: A total of 13 persons have been arrested for forcibly collecting donation (chanda) for Ganesh puja celebrations in the State.
According to a communiqué of State Police Headquarters, police have so far registered five cases in Bhubaneswar, Dhenkanal, Sundergarh, Rayagada and arrested 13 persons for collecting donations.
While Khandagiri police in Bhubaneswar has registered a case and arrested a person, Chandili police in Rayagada district have arrested seven persons by registering two separate cases.
Similarly, Hemagiri police in Sundargarh district has arrested four persons in a single case registered in this connection. Kamakhyanagar police Dhenkanal district has also nabbed a person by registering a case.
Notably, Director General of Police BK Sharma has have asked district SPs and Bhubaneswar and Cuttack DCPs to act tough against those who are forcibly collecting donation (chanda) from people ahead of the festive season. Public and goods transporters are the worst sufferers.
Ganesh Puja marks the beginning of festive season in Odisha that continues till famous Baliyatra in Cuttack.
