The district administration has imposed a curfew in the Sambalpur district of Odisha after violence occurred on Friday during a Hanuman Janmotsav rally. In Odisha, Hanuman Janmotsav was observed on April 14 – Maha Vishuva Sankranti (New Year)
Several shops were set on fire during the Hanuman Janmotsav rally in the city.
In Odisha, Hanuman Janmotsav is celebrated on Maha Vishuva Sankranti (New Year), which fell on Friday (April 14) this year.
According to officials, the curfew, imposed by the district administration, is in place with immediate effect until further orders.
In a notification, the Sambalpur sub-collector said “a state of Curfew U/S- 144(1) CrPc is hereby declared with immediate effect until further orders.”
People are permitted to go out and buy essential items between 8 am to 10 am and between 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
All educational institutions, government and private offices and business establishments were to remain closed, said Sambalpur District Collector Ananya Das.
Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, DK Singh, said the internet was suspended to prevent the circulation of “inflammatory and motivated messages”, which have the “potential to inflame communal passion”.
The notification said, “No access to social media WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Suspension of internet/data services of all MSPs & ISPs and Broadband dial up systems.”
