Curfew remained in force in Balasore town, Odisha, following the clash between two communities over the rumours of mass slaughtering of cows on the occasion of Id-ul-Azha celebration on Monday.
The State Home Department has enforced internet shutdown in the town, while the usage of messaging platforms such as X, WhatsApp and Facebook has been prohibited till 10 a.m. Thursday.
In order to prevent the circulation of inflammatory and motivated messages on social media and disturb the public order in Balasore municipality areas, the prohibition on social media usage has been enforced, said D. K. Singh, State Home Secretary. As many as 16 platoons of police staged flag march in disturbed area to create sense of assurance among people.
The two communities had confronted over the allegation of cow slaughter near a mausoleum near Patrapada area. After some locals noticed that water in the drain near the mausoleum turned red, they protested claiming it was due to cow slaughter.
Violence erupted as the news spread to other areas. Both communities started throwing stones at each other which left many people and police injured on Monday. The administration had to impose prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Cr.PC.
Though the district administration assured that the situation was under control, members of a community launched a calibrated attack by setting vehicles on fire and throwing stones in Golapokhari, Motiganj and Cinema Chhak areas of the town late in the night. The police resorted to blank firing to control the situation.
“The curfew is still in force till Tuesday midnight. It will be extended on day-to-day basis depending on fresh violence. We have not noticed any clash on Tuesday. However, we are keeping a close watch the situation,” said Sagarika Nath, Balasore Superintendent of Police (SP).
The district police had registered seven FIRs, while it received three more complaints. More than 40 platoons of police have been deployed in the town to evade any untoward incident. The State government has deputed one IG-rank officer and two SPs to ensure that the situation does not worsen.
Published - June 18, 2024 01:03 pm IST
