Hanuman Jayanti Rally Taken Out Amid Heavy Deployment Of Police In Odisha’s Sambalpur City

Sambalpur: Two days after violent attack on a bike rally, a procession for Hanuman Jayanti celebration was taken out in Odisha’s Sambalpur city on Friday amid heavy deployment of police, security watch from drones and restrictions on social media.

Devotees carrying saffron colour flags took out the rally from the Hanuman temple at Dhanakauda in the evening. Hundreds of people participated in the rally that would go around the city.

In order to prevent any untoward incident in the wake of stone pelting on the rally on Wednesday, as many as 43 platoons of police, 26 DSP rank officers, 30 inspectors, 70 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors have been deployed in the city, sources said.

DIG (North Central) Brijesh Ray and Sambalpur district SP Battula Gangadhar are personally looking after the security aspects in the city.

Following the Wednesday violence, prohibitory orders were imposed under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Sambalpur city and internet services were shut in the entire district for 48 hours from Thursday. To instil confidence among people, security forces conducted a flag march during the day and foot patrolling was carried out last evening.

During the rally, at least 20 police teams are carrying out patrolling across the city where all shops and commercial establishments have remained closed for the prohibitory orders. Besides, drones have been flying along the route of the rally to keep a close eye on anti-social elements and the feed from CCTV cameras are keenly monitored, said the sources.