Balasore: All shops and commercial establishments within Balasore Municipality and town areas in Odisha have been asked to down shutter by 10 pm till October 21, coinciding with Diwali celebrations.
The Balasore district administration has issued the directive to prevent possible law and order issues during the festive period.
In an official communication issued on Monday, the Balasore Collector instructed the Superintendent of Police to ensure stringent night patrolling and strict enforcement of the early closure order, with exceptions only for emergency services.
The administration noted that several shops in the town remain open till late at night, sometimes up to 1 am, resulting in large gatherings of people, which could potentially lead to disturbances. “To avoid any untoward situation, you are requested to take strict patrolling in the town area and issue an order to close all shops by 10 pm,” the letter stated.
The Tehsildar and the Executive Officer of Balasore municipality have also been asked to coordinate and ensure full compliance to maintain law and order.
Meanwhile, police have started informing residents about the curfew through public address systems.
The directive assumes significance in the aftermath of clashes in Cuttack, which spiralled to 48-hour internet shutdown and 36-hour curfew.
Last week, some miscreants had also allegedly vandalised decorative lights and flags at a place of worship in Pulbazar area in the communally-sensitive Balasore, where a curfew was imposed in 2024 following clashes between two groups over suspicions of cow slaughter during a religious celebration of a minority community.
Meanwhile, Sambalpur police have also intensified vehicle checking and police patrolling due to violence in Cuttack. Eighteen platoons of police force have been deployed in the district. “Police have been deployed in Sunapali, Bhutapada, Motijharan, Zilla School Chowk, Deer Park and Peer Baba Chhak area in the city. Places of worship are being guarded by police. We are keeping a close watch on social media,” IG (northern divison) Himanshu Lal was quoted as saying.