Fresh violence erupts in Odisha’s Bhadrak as peace committee talks fail

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhadrak/Bhubaneswar, Apr 7:

Despite prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC in force fresh violence erupted in communally sensitive Odisha’s district headquarters town of Bhadrak following the failure of talks at the peace committee meeting held this afternoon.

While locals have blocked the road near Nua Bazaar Medical Chhak and other places, scuffles have been reported between the police and locals, reports said.

Irate mobs have ransacked and torched shops in some areas of the district headquarters town reports added.

Reportedly, mobs have even attacked and damaged police vehicles.

Meanwhile, Home Secretary Asit Tripathy, DGP K B Singh, ADG (Law & Order) and RDC (Central) have rushed to Bhadrak, reports from the state capital said.

“I am leaving for Bhadrak right now. Though we have reports on the situation there. Will take stock of the situation on the ground and take a call,” informed Home Secretary Asit Tripathy before leaving Bhubaneswar for Bhadrak.

About 15 platoons of policemen have been deployed in the town to maintain law and order.

Notably, violence had erupted in Bhadrak town yesterday following objectionable remarks on Lord Ram and Goddess Sita on social media allegedly by some members of the minority community.

The Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists had blocked the main road by burning tyres protesting against the remarks.

They had also gheraoed Bhadrak Town police station demanding the arrest of the persons involved in posting of such remarks on social media.

The Bhagat Sena Ram Navami Samiti has lodged a complaint with police demanding the arrest of those involved in the posting of offensive remarks.