DHENKANAL: A 26-year-old man and a woman in her 20s travelling to the Kapilash shrine in Dhenkanal on a motorcycle were allegedly intercepted and assaulted by a group of men, with a video purportedly capturing the incident going viral on social media and raising fresh concerns about the safety of tourists in the state.Though the incident occurred on September 18, it came to light only after the video surfaced online on Monday.The footage emerged days after a similar viral incident from Bihar’s Jamui district, where a Class X girl and her male friend were allegedly harassed and assaulted by a group of men, drawing nationwide outrage over vigilante-style attacks on young couples.Police registered a case on Monday after the video showing the alleged assault and harassment drew widespread attention.Police said the man, a resident of Cuttack district, was travelling to Kapilash with a woman friend when they were intercepted by several men at a place, about 13km from Kapilash, on the Kapilash-Tangi road within Gandia police station limits.The viral video shows the man being verbally abused and allegedly assaulted by a group of men.When he attempts to leave on his motorcycle, he is repeatedly stopped. The woman, riding pillion, is seen pleading with the group not to assault him and not to record her.Some elderly persons present at the spot intervened and ask the group to stop. However, the assault allegedly continued as others recorded the incident on their mobile phones.The episode has renewed concerns over the safety of visitors travelling to the popular hill shrine.Dhenkanal SP Abhinav Sonkar said a case has been registered and an investigation is underway.“Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation,” Sonkar said.He added that police are examining the viral video and other evidence to identify the individuals involved. “A team was sent to the spot and nearby village, and interrogation is underway,” he said.Calling for stronger security measures, Dhenkanal resident Sudhakar Das said the incident reflected a wider failure in ensuring tourist safety.“Kapilash attracts thousands of visitors, but there is no adequate monitoring or regular police presence along the approach roads. If tourists are being stopped, harassed and assaulted in broad daylight, it raises serious questions about their safety. The administration must ensure proper policing and take strict action against those taking the law into their own hands,” he said.
