7 Arrested For Violence Triggered By Facebook Post In Odisha’s Bhadrak

Bhadrak: At least seven persons have so far been arrested in connection with the violence triggered by a social media post in Odisha’s Bhadrak district, police said on Sunday.

Describing the situation in the violence-hit areas of the district as under control, DIG of Police (Northern Range) Satyajit Naik told reporters that police have arrested a total of seven people, including the person who shared the objectionable Facebook post.

The arrests were made following a detailed investigation into the unrest that occurred after the controversial social media post. The accused were allegedly involved in inciting violence and pelting stones at the police on Friday afternoon, a police official said.

The DIG, who joined the flag march conducted by the police in the affected areas, said there has been improvement in the situation and the security forces have established area dominance, while security personnel in strength have been deployed in Puruna Bazar and Dhamnagar to prevent any untoward incident. Personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have also been deployed as a precautionary measure.

In view of the prevailing situation, strict restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) continued to remain effective for the third day while internet services were also suspended.

The state government has suspended internet services in the district for 48 hours till 2 am on September 30 following tension over the objectionable social media post. Any congregation, gathering, meeting, and agitation are strictly prohibited under the proceeding area and any violation of the same will be viewed seriously.

Platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and other such media which have the potential to flare communal tension thereby leading to acts causing disturbance of public order remained suspended in order to prevent the spread of such inflammatory and motivated messages and restore peace and amity.

To prevent any further flare up, at least six platoons of police force, a company of Rapid Action Force (RAF), Odisha Special Armed Police (OSAP) and local police have been deployed in Dhamnagar and other nearby areas.

It may be noted that the clashes took place following a post on Facebook and a group took out a rally and staged a road blockade by burning tyres demanding immediate arrest of the person behind the post. However, when police tried to pacify them, the matter took an ugly turn and stones were pelted at the police.

Three senior police officials sustained injuries. Police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the protestors.