Flag march in Sambalpur, internet suspended, security tightened ahead of Hanuman Jayanti

Sambalpur: The security personnel conducted a flag march on Thursday in Odisha’s violence-hit Sambalpur city, where internet services were suspended and security tightened as the district administration geared up to organise a peaceful Hanuman Jayanti.

District collector Ananya Das, north central range IG Brijesh Ray, SP B Gangadhar along with security personnel conducted the flag march to instill confidence among the residents, who have restricted themselves indoors since Wednesday’s violence during a bike rally held ahead of the Hanuman Jayanti on Maha Bishuba Sankranti on April 14.

Ten police personnel and some civilians were injured in the clash between two communities while the bike rally was passing through a locality in the city on Wednesday.

Violence erupted on Wednesday evening when stones were allegedly thrown at the bike rally taken out to celebrate the Hanuman Jayanti.

The bike rally and a ritual Jhanda Sthapana’ are organised every year prior to Hanuman Jayanti in the western Odisha city.

During the clash, some shops and several two-wheelers were set on fire while a number of cars were damaged.

The police have arrested 26 people so far and sent them to jail on the charge of rioting, while petrol bombs and swords were recovered from the houses of some persons in the city. Most of the localities wore a deserted look on Thursday as the majority of the shops remained closed.

Fresh violence was reported from a place in Dhanupali police station jurisdiction where two people were stabbed, police said.
Das said the administration has made elaborate security arrangements for Hanuman Jayanti and more force will deployed if required.

She convened a peace committee meeting, which was attended by representatives from both communities. “All those who attended the peace committee meeting have assured to cooperate to organize a peaceful Hanuman Jayanti tomorrow,” the collector said.

Sambalpur superintendent of police, B Gangadhar said that 43 people were detained and 26 others booked so far.

The administration clamped prohibitory order under section 144 CrPC in areas under Town, Dhanupali, Khetrajpur, Ainthapali,…