Prohibitory Orders Clamped Near College In Odisha’s Bhadrak Amid BJD Protest

Bhadrak: Authorities of Bhadrak district administration in Odisha on Wednesday clamped prohibitory orders in areas near a college at Chandbali, following a police report about possible clashes among supporters of the BJP and BJD, officials said.

The prohibitory order has been issued under Section 163 of the BNSS, prohibiting any rallies, unlawful gatherings, and processions in the areas surrounding the college and within a 1-km radius, including Kheranga Bazar, Nalgunda Bazar, Digachhia Market, Paramanandapur Chhak, and Matto Market.

The move is aimed at maintaining law and order in Chandbali on the occasion of the foundation day of Motta Plus-III College, they said.

There could be clashes and violence among supporters of the two political parties, as BJP state president Manmohan Samal and MP Abimanyu Sethi have been invited for the event, while local BJD MLA was not extended an invitation, said a district official.

Notably, Odisha BJD youth president Prince Rakesh and some other party activists had staged a demonstraton on the college campus on Tuesday, police said.

As per information, BJD workers also blocked the Bhadrak-Chandbali road near Ugratara after party MLA from Chandbali Byomakesh Roy was not invited to the college function.

Bhadrak Sub-Collector Manoja Patra promulgated the prohibitory orders under different sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in a one-km radius of the college, including Kheranga Bazar, Nalgonda Bazar, Digachia market and Motto market from 7 am of Wednesday till 7 am on Thursday.

The orders, which were imposed in view of a report submitted by the inspector-in-charge of Chandbali police station, restrict meetings and gatherings of more than five people in the designated areas.

SDPO (Chandbali) Kartik Mallick said there is heavy security deployment at the college and Bhadrak SP is monitoring the situation.