Internet services suspended in Odisha’s Kendrapara district

Surjit kumar Dhal, Kendrapara (Odisha), Jan 24: The district administration on Thursday clamped curfew in Kendrapara town following a clash between two communities.

Kendrapara sub-collector Sanjay Kumar Mishra said the decision to clamp curfew in the town following a clash between the two communities near the Kali temple, on the outskirts of the town, this morning.

“Apprehending that the there could be law and order situation in the town in the evening, the district administration decided to clamp curfew which will remain in force till 8 AM tomorrow,” Mishra said.

Since there is tension at the entry points, on the outskirts of the town, to Garapur, Tini Muhani and Gopa Chhak, steps have been taken not to allow people from these areas into the town, he said.

Stating that 15 platoons of the armed police force have been deployed at sensitive locations in the town, the sub-collector said three platoons of Quick Action Team (QAT) have arrived in the town.

The district administration has requisitioned additional police force for night patrolling in the entire town, he said.

“Taking stock of the law and order situation, police have opened control rooms in the sensitive areas of the town to provide early information to the district police headquarters for immediate action,” the sub-collector added.

Asked about the steps being taken to restore normalcy in the town, Mishra said since the Rashtriya Suraksha Samiti had given a 12-hour bandh call, a meeting between the members of the two communities will be held only after 6 PM.

Earlier, the Internet services were suspended in the district headquarter town as a precautionary measure.

            Prohibitory orders under Section-144 of CrPC, which were clamped on Wednesday, remained in force across the township to thwart possible breach of peace in the area.

            Normal life was affected in the district following observance of a dawn-to-dusk shutdown by an outfit to protest alleged disrespect to freedom fighters.

            “Net connectivity has been disabled in the urban areas. We took recourse to such precautionary steps to prevent breach of peace in sensitive areas,” Kendrapara District Collector Dasarathy Satpathy said.

            Educational institutions were closed for the day as a precautionary measure, while patrolling by security forces have been beefed up in and around the township, he said.