Joda:  The Keonjhar district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in Joda town today evening following tense situation over a flag procession on occasion of the Ram Navami.

As per the decision of the district administration, the Section 144 has been clamped in the town since 5 PM today.

On occasion of the Ram Navami yesterday, some people of Hindu community were preparing to take out an ‘Akhada’ procession to a Shiva Temple in Ward no-4 of Joda town. However, they were denied permission by the police for the procession.

Even though the police told the Hindu community members that permission will be granted to five persons only to take out the procession, they will were later stopped.

Tension erupted when some people blocked a road in front of Hanuman Temple in protest. The protestors later marched towards the temple along with the flag when they were intercepted by some members of the minority community in the bazaar area.

The two groups then clashed, and pelted stones and hurled bottles on each other. Residents in the locality were so much panicked they remained indoors. Vehicles and house window panes were damaged due to stone pelting.

Official sources said over 12 people have been injured in the violence. In order to bring the situation under control, the police fired in the air.