Bhubaneswar: Following a group clash between two groups, the Balasore district administration has imposed an indefinite curfew in the entire Balasore Municipality area from Monday midnight to maintain law and order.
At least five people were injured in a clash between two groups in Patrapada locality here on Monday, prompting the authorities to impose prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC.
The administration has also suspended internet services in sensitive areas, and additional police forces have been deployed in the troubled areas.
The decision to impose the curfew in the town was made after local MP Pratap Sarangi and local MLA Manas Dutta held a meeting with Balasore SP Sagarika Nath last night.
Balasore SP Sagarika Nath said seven FIRs have been registered so far in connection with the group clashes, and stringent actions will be taken against the culprits. She said 40 platoons of police forces have been deployed in the town.
As of now, 34 persons have been detained in connection with the incident. Senior police officers are keeping a close watch on the situation. The situation in the town is currently under control, the SP added.
Despite the presence of a large contingent of police personnel, violence in certain other parts of the town escalated, particularly in the epicenter village of Patrapada.
The violence broke out on Chandipur-Balasore road near Patrapada as both groups indulged in stone-pelting, causing injuries to at least five persons, including a police official.
Sources said a place of worship and a few shops were allegedly damaged by a mob. A house was also torched by the miscreants, but the fire was extinguished by the fire brigade. Around 20 vehicles were damaged in the incident as both the groups fought a pitched battle.
Stray incidents of stone pelting were also reported from some sensitive areas of the town during the night.
In view of the situation, the authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in areas between Pir Bazaar and Patrapada under Town Police limits, police said.
More forces have been mobilized from other districts to control the crisis. The district administration ordered the closure of all shops, business establishments, other establishments, and educational institutions. However, emergency services, mainly medical ones, were exempted from the order.
Taking a serious view of the situation, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi appealed to different communities to maintain peace and harmony. He also discussed with the district Collector and the SP and asked them to bring the situation under control.