Bhadrak: The Odisha government on Saturday suspended internet service in Bhadrak in view of tension in the district for two days after a group of locals pelted stones at police, causing injuries to three personnel during a protest over an ‘objectionable’ Facebook post.
Official sources said internet service will remain suspended in the district for 48 hours. The restriction has been imposed till 2 am of September 30 across the district under the provisions of Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
According to the order issued by the Home Department, the use and access of social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and other medium of data services, mobile internet and broadband services will be prohibited to prevent the spread of inflammatory messages to restore peace and amity.
It may be noted that the district administration has already clamped prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS in Puruna Bazaar and Dhamnagar area to maintain law and order. At least 14 platoons of police force have been deployed in violence-hit Puruuna Bazaar and Dhamnagar.
“Any congregation, gathering, meeting, agitation are strictly prohibited in the proceeding area and violation of the same shall be viewed seriously by the District Administration,” the order signed by sub-divisional magistrate Monaj Patra said.
It also mentioned that a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and a police sub inspector sustained injuries and a vehicle of the Bhadrak tehsildar was severely damaged in the stone pelting.
Police said nine individuals have been taken into custody and police flag marches and vehicle patrols are being conducted, with checks and barricades in place.
According to reports, a clash erupted between two communities at Santhia area over social media posts on Friday afternoon. The violence later spread to Dhamnagar area.
Senior officials, including DIG, Bhadrak SP, and the District Collector, are monitoring the situation, conducting flag marches, and holding discussions with the peace committee.
Meanwhile, a meeting was held at Puruna Bazar police station, attended by District Collector Dilip Routrai, DIG Satyajit Nayak, Bhadrak MLA Sitansu Sekhar Mohapatra, Bhadrak Superintendent of Police Barun Guntupalli, Additional District Magistrate Santanu Mohanty and other administrative and police officials.
The meeting discussed the strategies devised to apprehend individuals involved in the violence and posting inflammatory content. Keeping the tense situation in mind, internet services have been suspended for 48 hours to prevent the spread of misinformation and inflammatory content.
According to sources, some local persons had filed a complaint with the police against the social media post and demanded arrest of those involved. As the police reportedly did not take any step on the complaint, around 50 people took out a rally as a mark of protest in the afternoon.
As the protesting people reached Sathia, on the outskirts of Bhadrak town, the police stopped them and told them not to enter the town. This led to an argument between the protesters and the police.
Soon, the argument escalated into heated exchange of words and scuffle between the demonstrators and the police. Even as the police were outnumbered by the agitators, the former tried to disperse the latter by resorting to lathi-charge.
This aggravated the situation and the agitated people started pelting stones at the police. In the attack, two police personnel – Bhadrak City DSP Ansuman Dwivedi and Bhadrak Town police station SI Rojen Murmu- sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a local hospital. The violent agitators also damaged the official vehicle of the local tehsildar
