Bhubaneswar, Feb. 22: A group of guides today allegedly manhandled some tourists from Mumbai along with their Odia friends when they were about to enter Nandankanan.

The incident took place at the ticket counter when eight tourists from Mumbai, accompanied by their two Odia friends, were purchasing tickets to visit the zoo.

“A guide approached and asked us to hire him, as my friends were talking in Hindi. But, I refused to oblige him. All of a sudden, he started abusing me, and later, his other companions reached the spot and assaulted us,” said Bulbul Parida, the complainant, who is into transport business in Mumbai. Four tourists suffered injury in the assault.

The tourists also alleged that the group of guides, which assaulted them, also forcibly took away three cameras, one gold chain, two gold rings and Rs 30,000 cash from them.

“We said ‘no’ to the guide as I am a resident of Bhubaneswar and have knowledge about the zoo. But, they kept on arguing and later assaulted us,” said Satya Ranjan Mohanty, a Chakeisiani resident, who accompanied the group.

A complaint in this connection was filed in Nandankanan police station.

The incident has raised eyebrows on safety of the tourists visiting the zoo, which is considered as one among the best ones in the country.

“The incident was very unfortunate, and it will definitely have an adverse effect on the image of the zoo and the state. At a time when other states are taking help of cine stars to promote tourism, such kind of incidents will definitely tarnish the image of the state,” said Bairagi Sahu, a tourist from Balasore district.

Police have started an investigation into the incident. “We have conducted medical examination of the injured and started an investigation into the incident,” said a police officer.

However, the zoo authorities pleaded ignorance about the incident.