BALASORE/BHUBANESWAR: Balasore was placed under curfew till Wednesday evening after violence escalated in the district headquarters town following a clash between two communities over animal slaughter a day earlier.
Business establishments as well as private and government-run institutions remained shut while entry points to Balasore town were sealed. Internet service was suspended to control the flare-up and social media shut down. So far, at least 35 persons from both communities have been held in connection with the clashes. Seven FIRs have been registered.
Balasore collector Ashish Thakare said although no fresh violence was reported after the prohibitory orders were imposed, the curfew was imposed in the municipality area as part of precautionary measures. It will remain in force for next 24 hours and further decision will be taken after examining the situation on Wednesday evening, he said.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued strict instructions to the district administration to control the situation. Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi and MLA Manas Dutta also appealed to people to maintain peace. Armed police force led by Balasore SP Sagarika Nath conducted flag marches in sensitive areas on Tuesday evening.
Earlier on Monday, some people spotted blood-stained water in a drain which led to the face-off between the two communities resulting in road blockade. Eventually, it led into intense stone-pelting during which more than 10 persons were injured. Even police personnel suffered injuries while controlling the mob. Despite imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC, the situation escalated in the night as a mob damaged vehicles and pelted stones at some houses and even damaged some religious structures. Severe stone pelting was reported in Golapokhari, Motiganj, Barabati, Cinema Chhak and other areas of the town.
Additional chief secretary of Home department DK Singh prohibited the use of social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, X and any other through internet and other mediums for 48 hours up to 10 am on Thursday in Balasore municipality area.
“The situation is critical and miscreants are circulating false and inflammatory messages through social media to disturb the public order in the area. The internet/data services have been suspended in order to restore peace and amity,” said a notification.
Additional director general of police (law and order) Sanjay Kumar, who has been camping in the town, said steps are being taken to ensure minimum inconvenience to the people and examinees while essential services and ambulance services are being kept out of the purview of curfew.
“So far, 35 people from both communities have been arrested. The arrested include a juvenile. As many as 43 platoons of police force have been deployed in the town and central forces are being mobilised. Two SP-ranked officers and two ASPs from the headquarters have been deployed to thwart any further untoward incident,” he told TNIE.
Deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo said the situation is under control. The chief secretary and DG of police have been directed to monitor personally and brief the chief minister regularly, he told mediapersons.