Balasore: Tension prevailed in the communally sensitive area under the Town police station limits of Balasore Monday following a clash between two groups, after a group noticed red fluid in a drain, suspected to be of slaughtering of cows.
The district administration has also suspended internet service in certain sensitive areas of the town and urged people to stay in their homes and not to step out. Curfew was clamped from midnight of June 17 to midnight of June 18, the police said Tuesday.
Chief Minister Mohan Majhi took a serious view of the situation and directed the Balasore District Collector Ashish Thakare to maintain law and order, peace and harmony in the area. Odisha is a peaceful state and under no circumstances, peace and law and order would be allowed to be disturbed, the CM said. Majhi appealed to all concerned to maintain brotherhood and maintain peace in the area.
Protesting the blood of animal sacrifice on the road, a group of people sat on dharna in the Bhujakhia Pir area of the town. The other group allegedly hurled stones at them, following which the clash broke out, police said. At least two policemen sustained injuries when they were caught in the midst of stone pelting by the two groups.
Several scribes were heckled and asked to delete photos they took on their smartphones. At least 10 bikes and one SUV were vandalised by the mob during the clash. SP Sagarika Nath rushed to the site with force and held discussions with both the warring groups. Police had to baton charge the mob to bring the situation under control.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC were imposed to prevent further deterioration of the law and order situation. The district police also sought further enforcement of force.
According to reports, the incident occurred after a group noticed red fluid flowing in a roadside drain, suspected to be of slaughtering of cows and called the police to enquire if it was cow slaughter. The cops reportedly did not find anything. However, they collected the red colour samples for further investigation. The cops while enquiring about the issue another group came and protested.
Following heated arguments, the number of either side swelled. The mobs took to stone pelting and brick batting. After the incident flared up, the vehicular traffic on the road that connects Town with Chandipur was disrupted.
Notably, the road connects the defence establishments including ITR, PXE, Chandipur Beach and the fishing base at Balramgadi. The injured persons were admitted to the Balasore district hospital, officials said. At least 150 police personnel have been deployed in the area to prevent any further flare-up. Night patrolling would also be held in some sensitive areas, police said.
PNN & Agencies