1 killed as fresh clashes break out in Odisha’s Sambalpur; curfew imposed

A 30-year-old man was stabbed to death and four others were injured as fresh communal clashes broke out in Odisha’s Sambalpur after Hanuman Jayanti processions.

Updated on: Apr 15, 2023, 11:09:42 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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The Sambalpur district administration in Odisha imposed an indefinite curfew on late Friday night and extended the internet ban, hours after a 30-year-old man was stabbed to death and four others were injured as fresh communal clashes broke out in the town after Hanuman Jayanti processions, officials said.

The Odisha police have deployed 42 platoons and 20 patrolling teams in the Sambalpur town to keep a close watch on the situation. (Representative Image/PTI)

The deceased, identified as Chintamani Mirdha, a native of Sansinghari village under Burla police station, was returning home after a Hanuman Jayanti procession when he and his friends were attacked by 14-15 people, who had swords and hockey sticks in their hands.

Also Read: Internet suspended in Odisha’s Sambalpur after clashes during Hanuman Jayanti rally

In separate attacks, three other youths were also injured. Ten shops were torched and several were ransacked in at least three different places in the town.

Deputy inspector general of police (DIG) (North Central Range) Brijesh Kumar Rai said that the district administration has decided to clamp a curfew to restore peace and normalcy in the region. He said investigations were on to find out the motive behind the stabbing.

Earlier on Wednesday, at least 10 persons including an additional superintendent of police (ASP), two police inspectors, and a few Bajrang Dal workers were injured in stone pelting when a bike rally organised to raise support for Friday’s Hanuman Jayanti celebration was passing through minority-dominated areas of the town. On Thursday, the Odisha government ordered the suspension of internet services in Sambalpur district for 48 hours.

Sambalpur sub-collector Pravas Chandra Dandsena said the curfew under Section 144(1) CrPC was imposed for ensuring peace and tranquillity in the jurisdictional area of six police stations so that no one can come out of their houses.

“However, in emergency for procurement of any essential items people can go out between 8am-10am and 3.30pm- 5.30pm. A helpline number is there for any medical emergencies. People may reach out to the District Headquarters Hospital using the helpline number,” he said, adding that strict action as per law would be initiated against violators.

Sambalpur superintendent of police (SP) B Gangadhar said the entire route of the Hanuman Jayanti procession on Friday evening was under the glare of CCTV and drone cameras. Most shops and business establishments in the city remained closed after traders responded to a bandh call made by the Hanuman Jayanti Samithi.

Forty-two platoons of police have been deployed in the town. Besides, 20 patrolling teams and police in the civil dress have been keeping a close watch on the situation.

The DIG said so far 34 people have been arrested after the first violence broke out on Wednesday.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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