Bhubaneswar, Aug. 31 -- Within 24 hours of OdishaChief MinisterMohan Majhi's strict directive to the police to step up enforcement, a youth in Bhubaneswar was allegedly attacked with a sword over an extortion demand. An alleged organised extortion attack also surfaced from Jajpur.

Four men in Bhubaneswar's Bharatpur area reportedly demanded money from a youth on August 27. The incident came less than 24 hours after the Chief Minister directed police to take strict action against those collecting money forcibly for Ganesh Puja and Durga Puja.

Complainant Anshuman Patnaik alleged that he was returning from SUM Hospital when four men attacked him from behind. Riding on two motorcycles, the accused allegedly snatched his wallet containing a...