Bhubaneswar: The administration has banned any type of religious processions, including the Muharram celebrations, in Odisha’s Sambalpur city.

This was revealed by Northern Range Inspector General (IG) of Police Himansu Kumar Lal today.

“There will not be any Muharram procession in Sambalpur city this year. The people will celebrate the festival in their localities,” said the IG.

The top cop made this statement after holding a meeting of all stake holders including Muharram committee and representatives from both Muslim and Hindu communities.

“Restrictions have been imposed on religious processions in Sambalpur city for a year. So, it has been decided that people will celebrate the Muharram festival in their own localities. There will not be any Muharram procession in Sambalpur,” added the IG.

The administration had imposed restrictions on Hanuman Jayanti processions in the western Odisha city in April this year.

Notably, members of two communities had clashed in Sunapali area of Sambalpur during the Hanuman Jayanti procession last year.