Bhubaneswar, April 16 (). The Odisha Police has arrested 79 people in connection with various incidents of violence in Sambalpur city since April 12.
Before Hanuman Jayanti (April 14), a motorcycle procession was organized on the evening of April 12 by members of the Hanuman Jayanti Coordination Committee, Bajrang Dal workers and others. During the rally, clashes broke out between two communities in Sambalpur town, in which several civilians and police personnel were injured.
Incidents of violence again took place in the town on April 14, when the Hanuman Jayanti procession was taking place in the town. That night some shops were set on fire and ransacked.
Sambalpur Superintendent of Police (SP), B. “We have arrested 30 more people in cases registered for inciting violence in the town,” Gangadhar said. A total of 79 people have been arrested so far in connection with the incidents of violence.
He said that the number of people arrested will increase as more people are being identified through CCTV footage and video footage.
Several people involved in both the incidents have been arrested while some of their leaders have fled out of Sambalpur, the SP said. We have sent teams to nab them.
He said the seizure of the stone indicated that it was pre-planned. Action will be taken as per law.
Meanwhile, Odisha DGP Sunil Bansal reached the violence-hit city on Saturday. He reviewed the situation with senior police officers in Sambalpur on Sunday.
Talking to reporters, Bansal said, “Though there was no major violence in the city after the untoward incident on April 14, we have imposed curfew as a precautionary measure.”
There was no incident of violence on Saturday during the relaxation period. Some more calm prevailed on Sunday, he said.
Asserting that the situation is improving steadily, the DGP said, “I hope, if this continues, we will lift the curfew in the next two days and restore normalcy in the city.”
They have been given additional relaxation in curfew on Sunday due to some examinations in the town. As per the information received, the examination is going on smoothly. Bansal said that the curfew would be relaxed again once the examinees come out of the examination hall.
“We are continuing the process of identifying those who were involved in the violence and several people have been arrested,” he said. Further investigation is on.
The DGP made it clear that strict action would be taken against all those involved in incidents of violence.
He appealed to the people not to panic and cooperate with the district administration to bring normalcy in Sambalpur.
AKJ/SKP
Follow Niharika Times for all the big news from India and abroad. Like us on Facebook and Twitter . Always visit Niharika Times for latest news.