Internet Services Restored In Bhadrak, Ram Navami Celebrations Go Smoothly

Bhadrak: Two days after suspension of internet services in Bhadrak, the district administration restored the facility on Monday. The services were suspended since Saturday evening as a precautionary measure to prevent misuse of social media in creating communal stress during Ram Navami celebrations.

More than 70 idols were taken out in a procession from Nehru Stadium to Gandhi Ground here following Alkhand Mahayajna and other rituals of Lord Rama.

As many as 50 platoons of police personnel were deployed in the town for smooth conduct of the festival. “The Ram Navami celebration passed off smoothly. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the town,” said Bhadrak SP Anup Sahu.

Bhadrak had witnessed communal riots during Ram Navami celebrations in 1991, when members of the procession had a brawl with a Muslim youth while during Ram Navami last year a group of people posted objectionable remarks on Hindu deities on social media.

Anticipating similar situation again, the administration had banned the celebrations this year. However, the Orissa High Court ordered the district administration to lift the ban imposed under section 144 of CrPC.