Bhadrak: Police conducted a flag march in communally sensitive Bhadrak town in Odisha on Thursday to maintain law and order during Muharram on Saturday.
Speaking to media persons after the flag march, Bijay Ranjan Kerketa, additional SP of Bhadrak, said the flag march started from Goshala Chhak in the town. The police personnel went through Chandan Bazaar, Puruna Bazaar, Lahapati, Nangamahala, Santhia, College Square, Nua Bazaar before returning to Goshala Chhak in the evening.
Total 17 platoons of police including 80 officers and 2 additional SPs participated in the flag march in the town, he added.
It may be noted that the town witnessed communal violence in during Ramnavami in April 2017. There was arson and riot that was triggered after Muslim youths allegedly posted vulgar remarks on Ramnavami.
In 1991 also, Bhadrak saw a riot during Ram Navami, when members of the procession had a tussle with a Muslim man passing by.
