A car belonging to a resident of a Phoolbagan housing complex was ransacked by a group of men, resulting in unrest in the area on Wednesday evening.

Office bearers of Prasad Exotica, the housing complex on Canal Circular Road, lodged a complaint against unidentified persons.

“One of the residents who was entering the complex in his car was intercepted outside the main gate and his car was damaged by a group of men, apparently from the adjoining slum. A case has been drawn and efforts are on to identify the accused,” said a senior officer of the eastern suburban division.

The incident that happened around 5.30pm snowballed into a collective protest by the residents who called the local police station and complained against the people residing in the adjoining slum.

Officers of Phoolbagan police station rushed to the spot and pacified the crowd. Senior officers of the division including divisional commissioner Priyabrata Roy went to the spot.

Cops used loudhailers to make announcements and assure residents that the accused would be booked.

A senior officer said CCTV footage had been collected. Some of the faces of those involved in the attack have been identified, he said.

“Most of the suspects have fled their homes. We will catch them soon,” said the officer.

The reason behind the attack is not clear, the police said.

A case under sections of voluntarily causing hurt with weapons, mischief and common intention has been started.