In a shocking incident of vandalism, two brand-new passenger buses were deliberately set ablaze in the industrial city of Rourkela during the early hours of Friday. The targeted attack occurred near the Swapneswar temple, falling under the jurisdiction of the Tangarpali police station.
Details of the Deliberate Arson Attack
The fire, which broke out in the quiet pre-dawn hours, completely gutted one of the buses. The second vehicle sustained significant damage, with its front portion partially burned. The buses were owned by 55-year-old Anaya Kumar Malik, a resident of Balijhudi. Malik had procured the vehicles from Jeypore approximately 15 days prior to the incident. As the necessary permits for operation were still pending, the buses were temporarily parked near the Swapneswar temple, a location that turned into a scene of crime.
Swift Response and Police Investigation Launched
Alert local residents were the first to notice the flames engulfing the vehicles. They promptly informed the bus owner, who then raised the alarm with the Police Control Room (PCR) and the Tangarpali police. Fire services were immediately alerted and rushed to the spot. Firefighting personnel managed to douse the flames, preventing further damage. Inspector in Charge Niranjan Sethi confirmed that the Tangarpali police have initiated a thorough investigation into the case. A key line of inquiry involves scrutinizing footage from CCTV cameras installed in the vicinity to identify the culprits behind this act.
Aftermath and Ongoing Probe
The incident has caused substantial financial loss to owner Anaya Kumar Malik and has raised concerns about law and order in the area. The motive behind the arson is currently unknown, and police are working to uncover any leads. The community's quick response in alerting authorities highlights civic vigilance. The investigation remains active as officials piece together the events of that early morning.
