Balasore: The curfew clamped in the Balasore municipality area since midnight of Monday, following a violent group clash between the two communities, was partially lifted in some areas of the town.
District Administration sources said the curfew was lifted in the Industrial police station area while it will be relaxed in the town and Sahadevkhunta area between 6 AM to 2 PM Saturday.
The administration also withdrew the suspension of internet service for lease lines and broadband users but continued the ban on mobile internet services.
Schools colleges and Anganwadi centres in the town area will also remain closed Saturday. Balasore district collector Asish Thakre said now 65 people have been arrested in connection with the Monday group clash
The curfew was relaxed to enable the residents of the town to buy vegetables and do necessary shopping of essential commodities. All essential and medicine shops, however, will remain open, the officials said.
Official sources claimed that no untoward incident was reported during the last 48 hours and the situation in the troubled town is fast returning to normalcy. More than 50 people have been detained for violating the curfew guidelines.
In addition to 34 platoons of Odisha State Armed Police Forces(OSAP), 6 companies of BSF have been deployed to maintain law and order situation in the town.
The town witnessed a group clash between the two communities on Monday last after some people noticed blood-stained water in the drain and informed the police.
The district administration, initially, clamped prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPc in the troubled areas but later was forced to impose a curfew late Monday night in entire Balasore municipality area when the mob set fire to a shop, damaged houses and a religious structure.
UNI