Communal Tension In Kendrapara Town, Sec 144 Clamped

Kendrapara: Apprehending law and order situation following communal tension in Kendrapara town, the district administration clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the IPC on Wednesday afternoon.

Reports said the district administration had not given permission to a non-Hindu community to organise a meeting at the Government High School ground to observe the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad. However, the community vehemently protested the meeting of another community to organise a function to mark the birth anniversaries of Veer Surendra Sai and Netaji Subash Chandra Bose on Wednesday.

Protesting against the meeting of another community, members of the non-Hindu community arrived at the High School ground on Wednesday. Sensing law and order situation, a section of the armed police rushed to the spot and dispersed the protestors. The district administration later cancelled the meeting forthwith.

A senior official of the district administration said six platoons of the armed police force have been deployed in the town while the police are conducting a flag march.

“Efforts are on to pacify both the communities at a meeting of the peace committee to restore normalcy in the town,” he added.

The official also made it clear that the district administration has decided not to allow any meeting at the High School ground.