Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Rourkela, Jul 15:

Tension gripped Odisha's steel city Rourkela last night over circulation of an objectionable photo in WhatsApp hurting the sentiments a particular community.

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In protest, several youths of the community blocked the city main road by burning tyres in the afternoon disrupting the pulling of Lord Jagannath's chariot on the occasion of Bahuda. The chariot was halted for around half an hour before police personnel intervened in the matter and pacified the irate youths after which the chariot moved ahead, sources said.

Due to security reasons, police detained a minor boy for allegedly uploading the offensive photo on WhatsApp.

Following the incident, members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal staged protest in front of Sundargarh district police headquarters demanding arrest of the youths involved in creating hindrance during pulling of the chariot. During the protest, the agitators reportedly damaged some auto-rickshaws.

Situation returned to normalcy after SP held discussions with a representative team of the protestors. The police official assured them of a probe into the incident and necessary action after the investigation.

However, things turned violent during late night as two communities clashed at Nala Road here and threw stones at each other. On being informed, police reached the spot and took situation under control. Three cops were injured during the clash, reports said.

Section 144 has been clamped from Udit Nagar to Bisra Chhak here to prevent further untoward situation, police sources said. Around 20 platoons of police force and 3 platoons of CRPF personnel have been deployed in the city.

On the other hand, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has called for a 12-hour Rourkela bandh on Saturday.