BHUBANESWAR/BALASORE: Tension flared in Balasore’s Remuna area on Sunday afternoon after a clash between two groups marred Hanuman Jayanti celebrations, leaving scores of people injured.
Local sources said more than 50 people sustained injuries but the police maintained only four were hurt in the incident. The injured were rushed to Remuna community health centre before being shifted to the Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.
Trouble started at around 4.40 pm when people participating in Hanuman Jayanti were taking out a rally en route to Kanaka Durga shrine through a road near Ganipur village. At that time, stones were allegedly pelted at the procession by the members of the other group, resulting in injuries to several participants of the rally.
When members of the procession retaliated, the situation escalated into a confrontation. The clash also resulted in damage to property. The front glass of SP Sagarika Nath’s vehicle was also damaged when she rushed to the scene to assess the situation. The mobile phone of IIC of Remuna police station, Artatrana Sethi, also suffered damage. Police swung into action to control the situation and additional units were deployed to restore order.
“While the procession was being carried out, there was a heated exchange between two groups over music volume. Both sides then pelted stones at each other. About four persons sustained injuries and they were admitted to district headquarters hospital. IG Deepak Kumar and Balasore SP reached the spot to take stock of the situation,” said ADG Law and Order, Sanjay Kumar.
Police patrolling has been enhanced in the area to avoid any further escalation. People from both the sides are in conversation with each other to normalise the situation. Stringent action will be taken by the police and those behind the incident will be arrested, he said.
Reports indicate that such incidents had also occurred at the same location during previous years’ festivities. Meanwhile, Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi expressed discontentment over the incident, calling for peace and harmony among communities.
SDPO of Nilagiri, Saroj Upadhyay, said, the situation was under control and measures were in place to prevent a recurrence of the incident. The incident comes a day after a peace committee meeting of all communities was held on Remuna police station premises to ensure that the upcoming Ram Navami festival passes off smoothly.