79 Arrested For Violence In Odisha’s Sambalpur, Curfew Remains In Force

Sambalpur: A total of 79 people have so far been arrested in connection with violence in Odisha’s arson-hit Sambalpur where curfew remained in force even as the situation in the city was gradually limping back to normalcy on Sunday.

The western Odisha city witnessed large-scale violence in the run-up to Hanuman Mahotsav celebrations, prompting the district authorities to clamp curfew, ban internet services and undertake massive force deployment to prevent any further flare up.

While 26 people were arrested in connection with the stone throwing incident during bike rally on April 12, 53 others have been taken into custody for violence and arson during procession on April 14, Sambalpur Superintendent of Police (SP) B Gangadhar said.

Stating that some accused persons are absconding, he said it appears that incident was pre-planned. Over 100 people, involved in violent incidents, have been identified and a hunt is on to nab them.

Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP) Sunil Bansal, who reached the curfew-bound city on Saturday, made a fresh review of the overall situation on Sunday. The police chief has said that stringent action will be taken against those involved in violence and expressed the hope that normalcy will be restored in a day or two in the city.

While curfew remained in force in several areas under the jurisdiction of six police stations in the city, the prohibitory orders were relaxed for students and other aspirants of various recruitment examinations on Sunday.

Additional police force had been deployed in different sensitive areas, while a strict vigil is being maintained to prevent any fresh violence.  While the total number of arrests made so far in connection with violent incidents mounted to 79, more people are likely to be apprehended.

Similarly, six persons have also been arrested in connection with the murder of a youth, who was killed over some past enmity, police said, adding that the murder had nothing to do with the violent clashes between two groups during the Hanuman Mahotsavi procession.

In view of the curfew restrictions, the district administration made elaborate arrangements for aspirants of various recruitment tests for safe passage to their respective examination centres on Sunday.

The administration has announced relaxations in the prevailing curfew situation in the city keeping in view the NDA, CDS, and High Court ASO exams scheduled for today. The students have been exempted from the curfew between 7:30 am and 10:30 am and between 4 pm and 6 pm to allow movement to and from the exam centres in Sambalpur.