Odisha’s Bhadrak Limps Back To Normalcy, Internet Suspension Extended Further

Bhadrak: After three days of communal tension, Odisha’s Bhadrak showed signs of improvement as the local administration allowed shops to operate from 6 am to 7 pm on Monday.

According to sources, shops in Dhamnagar and Dobal have reopened and banking services resumed.

Besides prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNS, banning all forms of gatherings and demonstrations indefinitely across the district, internet services will also remain suspended for another 48 hours with access restricted to banks, corporate entities, and large industrial organizations through leased lines only, DIG (eastern range) Satyajit Nayak told the media.

Initially, internet services were suspended for 48 hours and was set to end at 2 am on September 30.

“Though fresh incident of violence has been reported from Bhadrak town or Dhamnagar, two companies of Rapid Action Force have been deployed in these areas,” he added while advising denizens to refrain from spreading or believing in rumours and stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.

Some roadside shops had also opened and public transport was resumed in Puruna Bazar area on Sunday. Roads, however, remained mostly deserted. To instil confidence in people, DIG of eastern range, Bhadrak Collector Dilip Routrai and SP Varun Guntupalli, senior officials and RAF conducted a flag march through the town.

In addition to the RAF, 10 platoons of Odisha Police have been stationed in Puranabazar area of Bhadrak town, with another five platoons assigned to Dhamnagar.

So far, police have arrested 15 individuals – 8 including the individual who shared the social media post in Bhadrak and 7 in Dhamnagar – for the violent protest in the Purunabazar area over the “objectionable” Facebook post that allegedly hurt religious sentiments of a particular community. The violence later spread to Dhamnagar area. The unrest resulted in three police officers being injured in stone-pelting by protesters.