Sundargarh: No untoward incident was reported overnight in Odisha’s Sundargarh town, where rumours alleging stored beef had sparked violence and tension between two communities in Regent Market area, leaving at least 12 people injured and prompting the district administration to suspend internet services for 24 hours on Thursday.
Speaking to the media, Sundargarh Collector Subhankar Mohapatra said that there has been no fresh violence in the town. “Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNS were imposed in the area to prevent further escalation. Schools and colleges were shut today. The internet services will remain suspended till 6 pm,” he said, urging people to maintain law and order and refrain from spreading any rumours.
The collector further stated that the district administration was in touch members of the two communities and a meeting of the peace committee will be convened soon.
DIG (Western Range) Brijesh Kumar Rai said that the SP, Amritpal Kaur, patrolled all night to ensure that peace prevailed in the area. “Raids were conducted on houses of those involved in the clash last night, but the suspects were not present. They will be arrested soon. Three cases have been registered,” he said.
Rai further stated that peace committee will held provided the current conducive environment continues. “As many as 19 police platoons have been deployed. We are hopeful of peace returning to the area soon,” he added.
According to sources, rumours about beef storage in a house close to Regent Market quickly drew a crowd to the area. Though police arrived to probe the matter, the tension escalated within minutes into a confrontation in the busy market area, leading to stone pelting at around 2.30 pm that persisted for roughly two and a half hours. The unrest saw a pickup van and two poultry shops torched, while at least five or six four-wheelers were damage across the town. Multiple individuals, including one police officer, were injured during intense stone-throwing exchanges between the two groups. “Both groups used sharp weapons against each other and also pelted stones. Police used mild force to disperse them and brought the area under control,” an officer said.
While gatherings, rallies and protests were banned in the town, the administration ordered for closure of all schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the Sundargarh municipality area on Friday (January 16, 2026) as a safety measure. To curb the spread of misinformation and prevent further escalation, internet services weren suspended across Sundargarh town for 24 hours starting 6 pm on January 15.
