Balasore: The Odisha Government has prohibited social media in Balasore municipality area till 10 AM of June 20 in order to avoid any untoward incident after the group clash near Sunahat here on Monday.

"Miscreants are circulating false and inflammatory messages through social media to disturb the public order in Balasore municipality area. Messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and X have the potential to inflame communal tensions, thereby leading to acts causing disturbance of public order," a notification issued by the government said.

Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home Department has ordered to prohibit the use and access of social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and X for 48 hours up to 10 AM on 20th June in Balasore municipality area.

The district administration has imposed curfew in Balasore municipality area. The residents of Balasore town have been urged to stay indoors and not to step out of their houses. All roads connecting Balasore have been sealed by the district police.

Notably, the clash between the two groups has left five persons, including a cop, injured. Around 15 vehicles were also damaged in the violent incident. The situation became worse as one of the groups resorted to stone pelting.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has appealed to different communities to maintain peace and harmony in Balasore.

CM Majhi also discussed the matter with the Balasore Collector and Superintendent of Police and asked the district administration to bring the situation under control.