A four-member group belonging to the Kannada Rakshana Vedike on Wednesday stormed into the room of Divisional Railway Manager of Bhubaneshwar, Mahesh Mangal (he was DRM, South Western Railway till Monday) and ransacked the place.

Chanting slogans against Railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and the DRM, they threw the TV set down and broke it, disconnected phone lines, broke vases and destroyed the furniture. They also threw the chairs all around the room. The DRM, who was inside the room, rushed out immediately.

He was unhurt. Railway Police Force personnel posted outside rushed to the room and took the group into custody.

The group was protesting against the Railway minister’s statement that Kannadigas will not be given any reservation in Railways.

Mahesh Mangal had appeared in a couple of TV channels on Tuesday to clarify that Lalu did not intend to hurt Kannadigas with his remarks. Hence, he was targeted, railway sources said.

Meanwhile, tight security has been put in place in the City station, Mysore and Hubli today.

Inquiry ordered

The Railway Board, New Delhi has asked Sanjeeb Haldar, Chief Commercial Manager (Passenger Business), South Western Railways, to submit a report on Lalu’s visit to the City and the events that took place enroute. He will submit his report shortly.

Meanwhile, the corporate office of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has asked its officials to submit a report on the incident, sources said.