Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Bhadrak, Odisha, after a clash was sparked by an online post. The internet has been suspended for 48 hours.
According to officials, a Facebook post disparaging a certain religion resulted in protests in the Puruna Bazar Police Station area on Friday.
Arpit Pattnaik
An allegedly offensive social media post sparked stone pelting and violence in Odisha's Bhadrak district on Friday, leaving some policemen wounded and prompting the district administration to impose prohibitory orders. This is the second time in a week that prohibitory orders have been imposed in the district. The first instance was after a clash between two communities over a torn religious flag on September 19 led to a similar clampdown.
Internet services were suspended throughout the district for 48 hours to prevent the spread of such inflammatory messages, as per an order issued by Odisha's additional chief secretary, home, Satyabrata Sahu.
According to officials, a Facebook post disparaging a certain religion led to protests in the Puruna Bazar Police Station area on Friday. The protests eventually turned violent, prompting the police to resort to lathi charge, they said.
In his prohibitory order under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Bhadrak Sub-Divisional Magistrate Manoj Patra said at least two policemen, including a city DSP, were wounded in stone pelting. A government vehicle was also allegedly damaged in the protests, the order said.
"Police have also been asked to take any stringent action necessary to disperse the violent mob," an official told.
With tensions still prevailing, police have dispatched at least seven units and also conducted a flag march. An FIR has yet to be registered in the case. "We've kept a close watch on the situation and are trying to bring it under control. Strict action will be taken against all those responsible for such a situation," a senior police officer said.
