The Saheed Nagar police have arrested seven persons including two minor boys on the charge of attacking a youth in Unit-9 area here on Saturday.
The cops have also seized three vehicles used in the incident.
Shockingly, 14 of the 16 accused reportedly happen to be minors and are students of a reputed English medium school in the city.
According to sources, a member of the student wing of the BJD, Akash Dora was chatting with one of his friends near his house in Postal Colony in Unit-9 when around 16 to 20 motorbike-borne youths came and brutally attacked Dora, leaving him critically injured.
Dora was immediately rushed to a private hospital here where he is currently undergoing treatment.
So far, 16 of the attackers have been identified, among which seven have been arrested. All other accused in the case are reportedly absconding after the incident.
Later, the city DCP on Monday tweeted. “Seven accused persons have been arrested in connection with Saheednagar police station case no 87, with regard to the case of assault on a youth near postal colony, Unit-9. Three vehicles used by the accused persons have also been seized. Efforts are on to nab the others involved,” it said.
While initial reports claimed that the attack could be fallout of political rivalry, sources also suggest that there could be a possible triangular love affair behind the attack.