Bhubaneswar, Jan 11: Police arrested 18 persons for their alleged involvement in last evening attack in Unit II market building.

“18 miscreants have been apprehended, 5 bikes seized,” Commissionerate police twitted this morning.

Panic gripped the Unit II Market Building under Capital police limits last evening after a group of masked miscreants armed with weapons randomly attacked street vendors. The miscreants also ransacked several shops in the area.

Eyewitnesses said that around 20 to 25 miscreants covering their faces reached the busy market and started ransacking the shops. “Before we could realise, the group started ransacking the shops. Customers ran helter-skelter to save their lives. We also ran for cover and took shelter in a mall,’ said a food stall owner.

Police rushed to the spot and started an investigation into the incident.

So far 18 miscreants have been arrested and raids are on to nab others, said a police source, adding that the incident was consequence of an altercation.

Two local customers were allegedly misbehaved by a shopkeeper who in turn called villagers and attacked the shop owner, police said.