Odisha: Internet Suspended, Prohibitory Orders Imposed In Bhadrak After Communal Clashes Over Social Media Post

Communal clashes in Odisha's Bhadrak district prompted a 48-hour internet suspension and curfew. Violence erupted over a social media post.

Police personnel stationed in the area following the clashes (Image: ANI)

Source : ANI

Bhadrak News: The internet services were suspended and prohibitory orders were imposed in Odisha's Bhadrak district for 48 hours till September 30, following violent communal clashes erupted in the area over a controversial social media post. This came after at least two police personnel were injured in stone pelting between two groups of different communities. 

The Odisha government has suspended internet services in the Bhadrak district for 48 hours in view of violent communal incidents due to social media postings pic.twitter.com/eePD9Mtvu6

— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2024

Trouble reportedly started over a social media post by a youth of a particular community, as members of the other group took out a protest rally. Following this, members of the two communities brick-batted each other, news agency PTI reported quoting an official.

When a police team reached the spot and objected to the rally, as it was held without prior permission, a section of the protesters attacked the personnel.  The Bhadrak DSP and Bhadrak Town Police Station SI suffered injuries in the violence, the official said.

As the situation turned volatile, the police resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse the protesters. Following this, the administration promulgated Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in areas under the Puranabazar police station for an indefinite period. A video shared by news agency ANI showed police personnel stationed in the area following the clashes.

#WATCH | Odisha | Security heightened in Bhadrak as some of the police personnel got injured in the stone pelting incident in the city. (27/09) pic.twitter.com/nwBQ8OkxVM

— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2024

Internet services were also suspended in the area. In the official order, the state's additional chief secretary, Satyabrata Sahu, said the home department has extended the prohibition on the use and access of social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and others via the internet and data services for 48 hours, until 2 am on September 30, 2024, in Bhadrak district. The internet suspension was enforced under the provisions of Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, in conjunction with Rule 2(1) of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency/ Public Safety) Rules, 2017.