Protests in Odisha’s Bhadrak over controversial post, prohibitory orders issued

Bhubaneswar: A controversial social media post caused members of a certain group to resort to violent protests at Santhia in the Puruna Bazar police station area of the Bhadrak district on Friday, escalating tensions. Up to three police officers, including the DSP of Bhadrak city, were gravely injured as angry members of the aggrieved community pelted stones.

Sources said that the members of a particular community got enraged after coming across the controversial post on the popular social media platform, Facebook. The members of the group took out a rally and staged a road blockade by burning tyres on the road at Santhia on Friday afternoon. The protesters were demanding immediate arrest of the persons behind the post.

Upon being informed, the local police officers and officials of the district administration rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the protestors. Meanwhile, the agitators suddenly started pelting stones at the police and other officials.

The agitators even ransacked the vehicle of the Bhadrak Tahalisldar. The police officials later resorted to mild baton charges to disperse the violent mob.

As many as 10 platoons of police force and three IICs have been deployed at the spot to check further escalation of the situation. Police also conducted a flag march in the area to control the law-and-order situation.

Meanwhile, the district administration has immediately imposed section 163 under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the Puruna Bazar police station area of Bhadrak city prohibiting any congregation, gathering, meeting, or agitation.

“As such keeping in view the matter as urgent in nature and in order to avoid severe communal tension between two communities, I Sri Monaj Patra, OAS (S) SDM, Bhadrak by virtue of the power conferred on me do hereby promulgate a proceeding U/S 163 BNSS for an indefinite period until further order,” reads the order issued by Bhadrak Sub collector, Bhadrak.

“The IIC Purunabazar PS is hereby directed to promulgate the order through mic announcement within the jurisdiction of the PS area with immediate effect. The Tahasildar, Bhadrak is hereby deputed as Executive Magistrate and to take necessary stringent action by mobilising the police force in order to disperse the violent mob,” added the order.

With inputs from IANS