Rourkela: Khandadhar, a popular picnic spot and tourist attraction in Sundargarh district, is witnessing a spurt in criminal incidents. This is happening especially on holidays, when a large number of people come here.

Social activists have taken up the issue with the Bonai sub-divisional police officer Sisu Ranjan Mohapatra.

"The local people are very helpful and gentle, but the revellers are the real culprits," said Girish Sahu, who had come from Lahunipara.

"When we went there last Sunday, we were nearly attacked by another group," said Harihara Das from Panposh.

An all-women group from a local women's college faced a similar situation when another group tried to disrupt their party with cheap Bhojpuri songs, one of them alleged.

High decibel music, songs with lurid sexual undertones, inebriation and inter-group quarrels are the main reasons that affect the peace of this spot known for the beautiful Khandadhar waterfall.

A team of local residents has urged the police to take stricter action against offensive behaviour. "They met me on Saturday and held a discussion on the situation prevailing on picnic days," said SDPO Mohapatra.

He assured them that the police would take necessary steps. The SDPO has instructed the inspector in charge of Lahunipara police station to deploy some policemen there along with two officers.