BHUBANESWAR/ BHADRAK: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday visited Bhadrak town and directed the district administration to submit the damage assessment report within three days. He warned the instigators of the incident of stringent action as per the law.
The chief minister spent about 25 minutes in the town which had plunged into utter chaos last week after objectionable posts on social media about Lord Ram and other Hindu deities triggered a wave of arson and disturbances.
Naveen Patnaik started his tour from Nehru Stadium as his convoy passed through Ekta Market, Chandan Bazar, Puruna Bazar and Rahapati before reaching the collectorate, where he met district officials.
While inspecting the damage at each of these points, at Kacheri Bazar Market, Naveen interacted with locals and assured them that the administration will provide compensation after an official report on damages is submitted.
After noting the measures undertaken to restore peace and normalcy at the collectorate, the chief minister told media persons that stringent action would be initiated against those responsible for the communal unrest.
He also said vending zones would be set up to rehabilitate traders who lost their shops in the arson. He also appealed to the people to maintain communal harmony and peace in the area.
In Chandan Bazar, womenfolk of the Marwari community staged a road blockade after the CM’s convoy passed through their locality, but did not stop there.
Normalcy has returned to Bhadrak as offices, commercial establishments and educational institutes functioned on Wednesday. However, security forces continue to keep vigilance.