A group of pilgrims was attacked by the driver of the van they had hired for their travel at Vyasanagar in Jajpur district on Monday night.
While the video of the shocking incident went viral, police were yet to nab any of the attackers.
After visiting Ayodhya, some pilgrims returned by train. They got off at the Jajpur Road station and hired a van to go to Jajpur town. When the driver stopped his vehicle midway to take two more passengers, the pilgrims opposed it.
Despite their opposition, the driver took them. Later, alleging discomfort, the pilgrims had a heated altercation with the driver.
At Vyasanagr, the driver, who was allegedly drunk, his family members and some locals attacked the pilgrims with sticks and sharp weapons. The scared pilgrims dialled 112 seeking help. Later, a team from the Vyasanagar police station reached the spot, but by then the driver as well as other attackers had fled from the spot.
Later, the pilgrims lodged a complaint, following which police launched a hunt for the driver and his aides.