Curfew Lifted From All Six Areas In Odisha’s Sambalpur As Normalcy Prevails

Sambalpur: With the return of normalcy, the Sambalpur administration has lifted curfew restrictions from all areas in the western Odisha town.

Restrictions on meeting and rally, however, remain in force and written permission from district administration will be required to organise such events, sources said.

The curfew was imposed in six police station areas after a clash between two groups during a bike procession ahead of Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in the town on April 12, which left several persons, including 10 police personnel injured. Many shops and vehicles were set on fire during the clash.

The administration had already lifted curfew from four police station areas while night curfew was in force in the remaining two police stations.

Sambalpur also witnessed a complete shutdown of internet on April 13, to curb circulation of inflammatory messages. Broadband and leased internet was restored fully on April 21 and mobile internet on April 23. Police had detained 16 persons, including two chat group admins of Whatsapp, for circulating rumours and hateful messages on social media in the aftermath of the violence, but were released with a warning and after signing PR bonds, the sources added.

The district police have arrested over 100 people in connection with the violence.

A four-member BJP MP team is scheduled to visit the violence-hit areas on May 2. The state unit of BJP has urged the Centre to initiate steps for an NIA probe into the clashes.