Bhubaneswar, March 12: Irate residents of Pubusahi in Khurda district today blocked the Khurda-Balangir National Highway No. 57 for more than four hours, demanding action against those who had beaten up two motorcyclists in presence of police for overtaking a bus this morning.

The two residents of Pubusahi rode a motorbike and overtook a speeding bus. Following this, the bus driver and a passenger, who was identified as Md Firoz, had called the police, hawkers of Khurda Town bus stand and a few people from Sardhapur.

The hawkers, police and five local residents arrived at the site in no time and started beating up the motorcyclists and one of their friends, identified as Tapan Pradhan and Praskah Swain and Sushant Swain. Later, the trio filed a complaint with the police mentioning that they were attacked with swords.

The incident triggered tension among the Pubusahi residents, who soon hit the streets and got involved in a clash with the hawkers and the bus crew. Later, they blocked the highway and disrupted vehicular movement demanding arrest of the attackers.

Khurda Town police station inspector-in-charge Baidya Narayan Bhoi rushed to the spot with a platoon of police to pacify the mob. Later, the Khurda tehsildar also spoke to the agitators and assured them of action against the culprits.

The police said they had registered a complaint.

"The incident took an ugly turn in presence of the police officers, who stood as mute spectators. We demand the arrest of the culprits," said local resident Shyam Mohanty.

Roadblocks are not new in Khurda district. The residents had, in January, staged a roadblock demanding action against one accused involved in the rape of a nine-year-old.