Bhubaneswar, Sept. 14: Police officials have decided to crack down on youth club members and other Puja committees who collect donations forcefully from residents.

Deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi said that most of the residents had raised the issue during police- public interface held in recent times. "We have advised the residents to report any such incident of forceful collection of donation by dialling 100. Stringent action will be initiated against them," Bhoi said.

In September 2013, members of two Puja committees clashed over the collection of donation in front of Kharavela Nagar police station. #Similarly in September 2011, Saheed Nagar police had arrested a few youths for creating violence in the area. More than 60 youths from Rasulgarh, armed with sharp weapons and hockey sticks, had ransacked the Saheed Nagar market over a conflict related to Puja donation.

"Most of the time the members of youth organisation demand exorbitant donation," alleged Soubhagya Mohapatra, a resident of Satya Nagar.

Though in the past couple of years, a number of puja committees in the city have started operating raffle counters during the festivities, forceful collection of donation still remains a major concern for the residents. The counters managed by various Puja committees and local clubs sell coupons ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 20. The prizes, which are distributed through a lucky draw, include cars and motorcycles. Residents prefer the idea of such counters instead of collection of donation. "Through the raffle counters various Puja committees are raising money and at the same time people also have an opportunity to win prizes, which includes motorcycles and other electronic equipment," said Nihar Ranjan Sahoo, a resident of Kharavela Nagar.

The police have decided to take an undertaking from Puja committees while granting them permission. "According to the undertaking, it is the responsibility of the committees to keep peace in the area. They are also responsible for any untoward incident caused by any member of the group," said a police official.

Committees, however, refuted all the claims of forcible donation. "We never demand any money from residents. They donate according to their wish," said Sudhir Nayak, member of a youth club in Rasulgarh.