Curfew In Odisha's Balasore As Communal Tension Escalates (image:x.com/sanjoychakra)

Curfew was imposed in Odisha’s Balasore town on Tuesday following a communal clash between two communities. The communities confront over allegations of cow slaughter on Monday.

At first, the district administration has clamped prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC in certain pockets of the town spanning from Pir Bazar to Patrapada and later extended to entire town considering the rising tension in mind.

“Though there were no reports of fresh violence after prohibitory orders were imposed, we have decided to impose curfew in the entire municipality area as a precautionary measure,” the Indian Express quotes, as Balasore collector Ashish Thakare is saying.

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On Monday afternoon, some locals raised alarm over water in the drains turning red which they suspected was because of mass slaughter of cows carried out during Eid-al-Adha celebrations. It then led to massive tension between two communities and then stone pelting.

“The police resorted to lathi charge to bring the situation under control,” the Indian Express reports, quoting police sources.

Official sources also reports that four to five policemen and civilians were injured and a few vehicles were damaged in the clash.

Sanjay Kumar, Additional director general of police, law and order, is currently camping in the town. He said 34 people from both communities have been arrested so far and the number is likely to increase.

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The internet services were also suspended by the state government in Balasore town and nearby regions to prevent any unforeseen incident and sustain law and order. Besides in view of the situation, the authorities has also announced the closure of schools on today, June 18.

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi spoke to the district collector on Monday and instructed him to take all measures to bring the situation under control.