Bhubaneswar, Nov. 14 -- Tension flared at Khao Gali near Ram Mandir in Bhubaneswar on Thursday evening after the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) shut down all shops over non-payment of rent.

An enforcement team of the civic body, accompanied by police personnel, arrived at the spot and closed the food stalls and outlets. Shopkeepers said they could not sell the food items they had prepared at home for the evening business. They strongly opposed the closure drive and staged a protest, surrounding BMC officials and demanding more time to clear their dues.

About the issue Khao Gali has 31 shops selling fast food and various other items. Vendors said the stalls were earlier allotted at a minimal fee, but after the new BMC council wa...