Bhubaneswar: As communal tension prevailed in three towns of Odisha during immersion processions of Lord Ganesha and another deity, the administration imposed section 144 of the CrPC in these areas.
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According to Odisha Director General of Police K.B. Singh, adequate police personnel have been deployed in all communally sensitive areas to maintain peace in the state. In retaliation, another group torched a vehicle and damaged two scooters afterwards.
Two communities indulged in brick-batting during the immersion procession of Lord Ganesh on 9 August. Subsequently, more than 1,000 people blocked the Pattamundai-Rajnagar road demanding action against those who were against the use of loudspeakers.
Twenty platoons of police force have been deployed in the city to avoid any untoward incident, informed Rourkela sub-collector.
It may be noted that the district administration had imposed curfew from 6 am to 6 pm to avert any possible communal violence at Soro on Tuesday.
Vandalised property in Rourkela.
Clashes between two groups during immersion of Lord Ganesha idols led to a tense situation in Soro town in Balasore district, Rourkela in Sundargarh district and Pattamundai in Kendrapara district. The SP said the minority community has been allowed to hold mass prayers, but no processions will be allowed. Nine persons have been arrested so far. The idols are being taken in a simple procession amid tight security for immersion. At least seven people were injured in the clashes.
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In July this year, Rourkela witnessed communal tension over over an inflammatory message on a Whatsapp group. The 19-year-old youth was allegedly assaulted by members of the minority community.
